"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:22 (NIV)
Love INC is a ministry that believes in the power of prayer. We want to be a part of accomplishing God's purposes throughout the earth – and together we can do that – through prayer.
We invite you to join us in praying for:
our families
communities
the Love INC ministry
our churches
state
nation
Location:St Paul's Episcopal Church
Brownsville, TX
When:Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009
Time:11:00 am - 1:00 PM
Call the Love INC office for more information.
Love INC a bridge for those in need to the Body of Christ
Many workplaces participate in annual United Way drives, raising funds for local organizations. Did you know that you have the option of choosing any 501(c)3 nonprofit organization for your designated donations, whether the organization is a part of United Way or not?
You can designate Love In the Name of Christ – Brownsville for your United Way giving.
Your donation is automatically deducted from your paycheck every month. Just fill out section B. Specific Organization and write Love In the Name of Christ – Brownsville on the "name of agency" line, fill-in our address and leave the "agency code" blank. Don't forget to fill-in the amount you want to give.
Our country has been experiencing a series of crises.There’s been the gas crisis. The mortgage crisis, the stock market crisis, declining industries, rising unemployment, high food costs, two wars, natural disasters, and on and on.
But many low-income Americans have been living in crisis mode for a long time now.In fact, every single day is a crisis for them.Each new national crisis has created more people in need and made things worse for those already in poverty.
For many American life just doesn’t add up anymore.I remember a time when 1 + 1 = 2.There was a time when, if you had a job and were responsible, you could support your family.If you were loyal to your employer and worked hard, you could count on your job being there for you.If you saved and invested in a pension, you could be hopeful about your retirement.If something happened and you fell on hard times, others would be there to help you through it.
When I was young, I remember my parents’ generation teaching us kids that there were tried and true formulas for how to budget your money each month in order to live within your means.Ten percent of one’s income was to go toward tithing.Thirty-five percent for housing.Fifteen percent for food. Fifteen percent for car payment.Five percent for medical and dental. Five percent for insurance.Five percent for miscellaneous.And five percent for savings.This budget formula was passed down from general to generation and always worked.
Bur for millions of Americans today, these formulas are obsolete and far beyond their reach.The math of the past doesn’t work.1 + 1 no longer equals 2.“Just work hard and you’ll do fine” no longer applies.You can do all things to secure your family’s future but find you are going backwards instead.
1 + 1 = 1 is the new math of poverty.And for some, the mathematical equation in life has become even more compelling: 1 + 1 = 0.These changes have been debilitating and stressful.It has created hopelessness, despair, confusion, hopelessness, despair, confusion, pain, isolation, and fear.What will it take for life to make sense again for people in need?
In the kingdom of God, the math is different.God has His own equation and He is in the business of multiplying.When a little boy gave his meager lunch to Jesus, He took it, blessed it, and then fed more than 5,000 hungry people with it.And there was plenty left over.Jesus said He came to bring life in abundance (john 10:10).And His mission continues today through His body, the Church.While the challenges facing our country are immense, I believe that through the Church, 1 + 1 can equal 2 again for peoplein need.The Body of Christ is the provision God has given the poor to help them navigate their way out of the distorted equation of poverty.We must rise up on behalf of the poor and needy now more than ever before.The poor need to see and experience God’s love for them.When we work together, we can help life make sense again for people in need. When we work across denominational lines and share resources, the right equation is restored.When we act to show the love, 1 + 1 = 2.It is through the Body of Christ that those in need can find life – food, clothing, warmth, purpose, faith, hope, love – in abundance.
God is the equation that can balance every situation in each person’s life as our country finds itself in the midst of many minuses.There are limitless pluses in God’s Church.There is one Body plus one Spirit plus one Hope plus one Faith plus one Baptism plus one God and Father which equals unity.And unity equals help, hope, and a future for those in need.
Family of 7 recently relocated from Florida and has to replace most of their furniture. Christ's Harbor donated a bed & drawers and Love INC supporters picked the items up and delivered to the family.
Please call the Love INC office if you can help with any of the following needs.Please reference the 5 digit number listed at the end of each request/need.Also, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have or if more information is needed.
·Refrigerator – family of 5; father is on worker’s comp and their refrigerator is not cooling properly. (Southmost/Morningside area) 02G09) pending
·Twin beds, dresser, table & chairs – Single mom with 3 children on limited funds. (Palm Blvd/Jefferson ST) (04E09)
·Refrigerator seal & changing the way doors open on the refrigerator – a partially paralyzed woman needs the seal of her refrigerator replaced and the way the doors opened switched so she can open with her non-paralyzed hand. (Central Ave/McKenzie Rd area) [04I09]
·Sheets for a full-size bed; plate & cutlerys – a disabled man on disability income just moved into a furnished apt.(Central Blvd/Wildrose area) [05A09]
·Full-size bed – migrant family with 6 children back down and are in need of a bed.(Valley Baptist Hospital-Brownsville area) [06A09]
·Work - single woman recently moved back to the area and looking for work in the Brownsville-area. (06C09)
·Couch, table & chairs – single mom with 5 children just moved into a new apartment and old furniture did survive the move.(Port Isabel)A couch is being donated, but needs to be picked up in San Benito& delivered to client in Pt. Isabel.[06E09]
·Table & chairs – family with 3 children just moved into an apartment from a small trailer.(Los Fresnos) [06G09]
·Wheelchair – dad (wife & 2 children) was injured and will be released from hospital soon.Unable to work for a while and not enough money to purchase a wheelchair. (Martin Elementary area) [07A09]
·Window unit repair – elderly widow (75 years young) has a window unit that’s not cooling.(Southmost area) [07B09]
·Dresser, nightstand, lamp-disabled veteran on limited income recently moved to the area for the warmer climate.(Olmito-area) [07C09)
·Refrigerator, stove, dishes, pots & pans, beds, table & chairs –mother of 3 coming out of an abusive situation starting over.(Cameron Park) [07E09]
·Gasoline help – couple on fixed income need help getting to John Sealy in Galveston to see oncologist. (Military hwy & Alton Gloor) [07F09]
·Dresser – single mother of 4 on limited income.(Brownsville airport) [07G09]
·Beds, table & chairs; dishes clothes – family recently relocated from Florida.Children need clothes to start school (15 yo boy L – shirts, 30 x 30 – pants; 9 yo boy M shirt, 13 pants; 6 yo girl size 7; 2 yo twins 2 T for girl & 3 T for boy).(Coffeeport & Old Port Isabel Rd) [07H09]
·Wheelchair – bone cancer patient on limited income. (Central Ave & Austin Rd) [07I09]
Special thanks Central Christian Church, Christ’s Harbor Church, Church of the Good Shepherd, Los Fresnos Church of Christ, Price Road Church of Christ and Love INC supporters for assistance in meeting the needs of families this past month.Please announce the needs listed below to your congregation, put in your bulletin, post on your bulletin board or display electronically prior to your services.As always - thank you, thank you, and thank you for all you do!!
I got this as my Encouragement for Today and thought it was worth sharing.
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 (NIV)
Devotion:
This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to chaperone my son's high school trip to Europe. Although my purpose in going was to invest in my son and be with him before time forever changes our life together, God had a few lessons tucked in surprising places for me.
One such place was Germany. In our short time there, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall by painting a section of wall that will be ceremoniously knocked down in November. We were thrilled to help remember the freedom of so many.
In spite of all the freedom enjoyed in the last 20 years by Berliners, our tour guide told us that Germany school children are not allowed to wear or bring to school any "religious" symbols. For Christians, that means no jewelry, clothing or books that would reveal their faith.
Upon returning home, I tried to confirm his statement. Although I couldn't, it challenged me to think how I would share my faith if I couldn't tell anyone through words or symbols. My thoughts immediately turned to all the followers of Jesus throughout the ages who couldn't share their faith openly. Although we might believe we need political freedom to share our faith, history shows us we don't.
In many instances, Christianity thrives under persecution because God's freedom shines even brighter in comparison. Believers don't need symbols to share their faith, they do so with their lives. Imagine living or working in a place where you couldn't say the name of Jesus out loud? How would people know?
As I read the New Testament, I see pictures of Christians who lived in such a way that their lives drew people to them and reflected the loving God they served. Here are just a few of the ways early Christians shared their faith without words:
· Going where others would not go.
· Giving generously to those in need.
· Taking care of each other.
· Forgiving great wrongs done to them.
· Showing hospitality to strangers.
This is just a short list of the many ways Christians "witnessed" to others. The Bible is full of examples of how God-followers told the story of their faith without using symbols or words. World history tells the same story. And I know there are believers in the world today facing life-threatening persecution.
It's prompted me to really consider what "rights" I need in order to spread the Good News of our Savior. Do I really need a government that guarantees my religious freedom? I like that, and want that, but is it needed? Based on the stories of the heroes of our faith - yesterday and today - maybe what I really need is a life that tells about my God louder than any words.
Whether or not you live in a country that affords religious freedom, what are you doing to share your faith with others?
Dear Lord, today I pray for my brothers and sisters who are living under persecution for their faith today. Lord, be their peace, hope and freedom. Please help me to live a life that reflects who You really are. I long for others to know You and love You. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me in all things. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
