Three people I remember and why it matters to mission

I was reacting to a seminary prof (Dr. Alvin Reid) on Twitter yesterday who said he had just finished visiting with some students. I told him that I was thankful that he did because 22 years ago when I went, two professors had invited me to spend an hour with them and out of my whole seminary experience, I only remember those two guys plus one other.

Here's why... maybe:

1. You only remember the people who loved you, not the people who taught you.
I've been a member of two mega-churches in my day. I know the names of the pastors and you would too, but I don't know them. Never met 'em, never shook either's hand... nothing. They were great expositors and I loved their sermons. But truthfully, I could've watched 'em on T.V. and loved 'em just as much. I don't have any affection for them, any lasting desire to look them up when I'm in town. They didn't even know my name. Same with my profs, 'cept these two. They loved me, knew my name, brought me in their lives and heard my struggles. God says, "Knowledge puffs up, love builds up." Lot's of guys have given me knowledge, only a few have built me up.

2. Sometimes people make such an impact on you that you remember them.
That was the other guy... the third guy I remembered. The reason I remember him was he made me fall in love with the Bible. He taught me the book of John, his name was Dr. Munn. By the time I got done with that book, I didn't just love Jesus more, but I had my own solo scriptura experience. I loved God's word. I read or listened to the gospel of John every day of that semester at his request. And he would teach in such a way that you began to be mesmerized by the word of God. It's beauty, it's simplicity yet profundity, it's coherence. So sometimes you remember people for an impact they had on you.

So what does that have to do with being missional?

People are never gonna remember you for that block party you threw or that bottle of water you passed out or that car you washed. Just not gonna matter 22 years later. What will matter is the time you spend on their couch, listening to their stories, letting them into your world and you into theirs. What they will remember is the way you taught them to love the Bible and the way you spoke into their lives. People are going to remember you because you loved them. And you may think a block party expresses love, but I challenge you, go back a year later and ask them ones you gave the block party to if they love you because you did. Most of them won't even remember your name.

Missional life is not having loving events for strangers, missional life is having a loving relationship with strangers where those strangers are no longer strangers but friends and no longer friends but brothers and sisters in Jesus.

When that happens, 22 years after you're gone... they'll remember.

Why the church doesn't reach the poor

As a 20 year pastor and a two year charity director I have struggled with why the church doesn't reach the poor. I struggled with why my church didn't and why it is hard for us. Here are some unfortunate thoughts that usually pop up when someone considers helping the poor...

1. They deserve what they get.
At the core of all reasons may be this one. They are poor cause they won't work, they are poor cause they do drugs, they are poor cause their lifestyle is destructive. If they'd get their act together, they wouldn't be poor and I'm not motivated to help someone who is doing it to themselves.

While that may be true, consider this: ALL we like sheep have gone astray. Jesus cared for you while you were yet a sinner.

2. They take more out of the plate than they put into it.
Yep, they sure do. Consider this: Acts 4:32-35 ...and they (the early Christians) felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. ...There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

The early church had some that put in the plate and some that took out. That's what the money was for. We use it on many other things but not too much on people who need help so that there is no needy people among us. 

3. I don't want their kids around my kids.
In our ministry some of the children are dirty, spit at us, hit us, say horrible things to us, hit other kids, hoard the treats, disrupt the service and once even stole the offering.

Listen, I'm not saying this isn't a challenge. But you send your kids to school every day for six hours a day with the same kids and you expect their teachers to maintain a safe environment. Your teachers can too. And seriously, what do you think Jesus meant when he said, SUFFER the little children... 

4. They take too much energy.
Yep, sure do. It's true that you have to go their place cause they don't have a car and pick 'em up or have Bible study close by. It's true that many of them weren't "raised right" and don't even know the simplest things like hygiene or basic care. It's true that many of them don't know how to provide structure, boundaries and discipline for their children, and it's true that there are a lot of issues you've already worked through that they haven't. But if they they had it all figured out they wouldn't need you... they'd be you.

Friend, these are only a few, but they are the ones I hear most frequently. The church is not for us only, who are easy to take care of and can get by on a good Bible class, a good sermon and some good music once a week. The church is for them, the broke, dysfunctional, dirty, not raised right, lazy, messed up folks.

Jesus said it this way when the 'church folks' "complained bitterly to Jesus' disciples saying, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?" Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. (Luke 5:30-31 NLT)

BC

You get what you play for

There is an inescapable reality when you begin to live a missionary lifestyle. You are going to be in relationship with new people, people not like you, not like you at all.

The difference between living a missionary lifestyle and doing missionary projects is simply this: If I do an outreach oriented project in your neighborhood, I don't have to be in relationship with you. I plan with you in mind, I come in and serve you in a loving way and then I go back home. Home to my people who have similar jobs and interests and paychecks and lifestyles. The missionary however moves into the neighborhood with a different attitude. Maybe you don't physically move in (some do) but you move in with the purpose of making new friends, becoming a part of new family's lives. You still serve and do projects with the other person in mind, but this time your service has a long term relationship tied to the end of it. And that makes all the difference in the world.

There's a highway patrol investigator who now lives a missionary life who said to me, "You know Bobby, I used to pursue people just to lock 'em up to get 'em off the street, now I pursue them to get them back on their feet. Same people, different purpose."

There's an old saying that says, "Begin with the end in mind."

If the end is to visit and perform a kind act, then that's what you'll do. If the end is to make a new friend, then the same kind act will be planned for much differently...with a much different result.

BC

Missional Fasting for Lent

Lent is the six weeks prior to the great gospel week where Jesus' death, burial and resurrection are celebrated. For centuries the church has celebrated this time as a time of reflection and renewal, of introspection and self-examination. One of the customs of Lent is to give up (fast) something for the entire 40 days, to help you keep your focus on 'the reason for the season'.

I'm curious, what should missionaries to Corinth give up? and for whom?

In Isaiah God's people were very spiritual, observed the feasts and sacrifices with vigor and even went above and beyond, fasting for God to break through and bring revival. They looked around and didn't like the sin and where their culture had drifted to, and they did the only thing they knew to do, they went to church more and begged God for a revival. But God rejected their religious efforts, their fast, their sacrifices and he asked them for a different kind of fast... a fast for others instead of themselves.

Most fasting is for us. We want to get something from it. We want to get closer, dig deeper, have a revival, whatever. But in Isaiah 58 God told his people that an acceptable fast was not a fast for themselves but a fast for others. In verse three the people are fussing with God. They say, "Why have we afflicted our souls and you haven't taken notice?"

Then God begins to unfold the true fast. It goes like this:

Isa 58:6-7
"Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

God said that a true fast is not you giving up something for you... but you giving up something for them, the poor, the needy, the outcast.

God went on in verse 10 to use their own complaint and turn it on them, he said:

If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul...

God called his people to satisfy the afflicted soul of someone else, not afflict their own souls for their own satisfaction.

Maybe this Lent, instead of us giving up something for us, we could give up something for them.

BC

Why give gifts?

From time to time, including this weekend, Crosswind gives gifts to over 250 families in our 'adopted' neighborhoods. This time it'll be a box of practical supplies, specifically:

- A four pack of toilet paper
- Three bars of soap
- A bottle of shampoo
- A tube of toothpaste
- Two rolls of paper towels
- A box of clothes washing soap
- A bottle of dish washing soap
- A bottle of house cleaning supplies
- AND a box of chocolates

Why bother with this gift some may ask? Does it really do any good? Wouldn't it be better to do something else? We are very sensitive to how our gifts may impact our friends.
1. We don't want to be condescending with our gifts. The last thing we want to do is embarrass someone who is working hard to make it by bringing a gift that may feel to them like we're looking down our noses on them.
2. We always want our gifts to be truly helpful, to build up the whole person in their situation, not just meet a temporary need that will be back next month.

So why this gift? and why now?
1. After Christmas, family budgets are exhausted. It's a rough time for us all. Also, during the cold there are above normal utility bills. So people who live on fixed incomes are strapped. And the items listed above are the items that are usually cut first. Food stamps will not buy any of the above items so people just do without. Many of our friends have told us how, in the hard months, they use their phone books instead of toilet paper and just wash with warm water, no soap. So the first reason is that we love them and want to help them through a hard time.
2. The second reason may be a bit of a surprise until you read Luke 10. In this story Jesus is teaching his followers how to prepare a city for His arrival. In verse five he says, "whatever house you enter first say, "Peace to this house." Jesus called for his disciples to enter into a custom of the day of hospitable blessing. In many of the cultures of the world even today these customs remain. Whenever you enter a home you bring a blessing of a practical gift to return the blessing of their hospitality. God told his followers to enter homes with blessings of peace. This welcome gift, if received, was the beginning of a relationship. The relationship would deepen (v.7), needs would be met (v.9) and the gospel would be presented (v.11). In this way the hearts would be prepared for the arrival of Jesus who draws people to Himself. So the second reason is to make new friends by giving hospitable gifts which may open hearts for relationship, giving us the opportunity to serve and the blessing to present the gospel.

For about $15 bucks a family we can do something practical (help a friend in tough times) and something spiritual (prepare the way for Jesus). Can't beat that.

Bobby C

It only takes a spark...

Back in the Kum-Buy-Ya times of the Jesus movement, with all the hippies and such, there was a little song that became a big hit. "It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around will warm up to it's glowing..." I've been thinking a lot lately about what it takes to affect change. How is it that some sparks get a fire going and some just hit the ground and fade away? Is there a way to ensure our sparks hit the spot where they cause a fire to grow?

Here are some thoughts (I welcome yours):

• Sparks are a lot more effective when they hit some dry wood.
  

In order to be effective there has to be a culture, a deep corporate sense, a city-wide eye-opener heightened by deep gut-level understanding of our real state of the affairs. If people think everything is okay or even if we've decided, "Well, we can live with that" we are not likely to react to a spark, even if it's from heaven. If the local leaders are saying "Peace, peace when there is no peace" ( a Hebrew idiom meaning you say everything is okay when it's really not) then the sparks of good-will, the brainstorms of community improvement, will rarely make a lasting impact. After all, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.'

• Sparks never start a fire without the wind.

In Jr High you learned the fire triangle. You have to have oxygen to sustain combustion. Even so, "unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain..." that is, unless God breaths life into your city or your problem, you're efforts will ultimately fail. You may make a splash, but you won't start a fire. It's not that God doesn't want to heal our land, He surely does, so what is it that allows the wind of the spirit to blow?

There was a time where God himself "couldn't do any miracles". The sparks never made a fire. The Bible clearly says he couldn't, not wouldn't. Two issues. I think both are our issues today

1) He was too familiar.
I think He's too familiar to us too. We need His power, to watch Him change lives, our lives, our friends lives. For too long we've been satisfied with 'just being Christians' without ever once experiencing the life changing power of God. Sometimes His story becomes white noise that we've heard over and over and has lost its reality.

2) They didn't trust him, didn't believe that He could change their world.
Jesus said He was amazed at their lack of faith. For some reason, they just wouldn't trust Him. "He's just one of our 'homeboys', we can't expect Him to change the world", "we can't trust him to heal and deliver and set free." I'm amazed too. We think if we can just get the Supreme Court fixed, get our party elected, turn the economy around, or fund the troops then we will be okay. So we trust in man and God can't help us.

It does only take a spark, but we've gotta be the dry wood, open to the realities of our mess and then, then we have to believe, we have to trust that Christ heal our land. If we will, he will.

BC

Excited about the New Year but we've got our work cut out for us...

I love the year end scorecards. The 'how did we do' data. Whether its unemployment or drop out rate, I just love reading stats and figuring out how much of it matters and stuff like that. Last month the scorecards came out and Mississippi's had the most interesting scorecard of all. Check it out...

Our state is the most religious state in the union. There are four ways to measure it and in all four category we are #1! (See article here)

Our state is also #1 in poverty, teen parents, obesity and std's.
Hmmmmm...I was just wondering, shouldn't one affect the other?

Doesn't that alarm you? How is that the most religious state is also #1 in all these areas that you would think religious folks would be real good at fixin'? Here's some thoughts, and I'd welcome yours as well:

- There really is a disconnect between church and real life. We 'go to church' more than any state (#2 is Mormon Utah). But what we hear there doesn't change what we do during the week.

- For many, religion ('the routine of living out your faith', like church attendance and daily prayer, etc) replaces godliness. You can be very religious and very ungodly (that's the point of the polls). Real faith comes from a trusting relationship with Jesus that transforms your life and your community. No transformation, no real faith.

- The Pharisee's were the most religious of their day (as we are the most religious of our day). I'm curious if there are any similarities. Jesus said they tithed religiously but they neglected the more important matters of social justice and love.

Is it possible that we have neglected the "more important matters" of our day? Love to hear your thoughts... I'd also love to partner with ya to solve some problems.

BC

Field Report From Ronda

Congratulations Marquita Hurd!

I met Marquita, better known as “Kit” in September of this year. I immediately was drawn to her beautiful smile and dynamic personality.
Kit had recently moved back to Corinth after a difficult time in Florida. She was homeless, no car and without work. Crosswind began to work with her to find a place to live and quickly moved her into Hickory Terrace Apartments. She immediately became involved in all activities of Crosswind and was willing to do whatever it took to get her life back on track.

Judy Wilbanks, our Life Coach at Crosswind, began to spend time with Kit and arranged for her to meet with a Crosswind Financial Counselor who would help her get her finances in order and also began to help her make a plan for her future.

For the next 3 months Kit took on odd jobs to pay her bills, put in many, many job applications, did volunteer work at the Boys and Girls Club, visited residents of Hickory with Judy and prayed for God to supply her every need.

In November 2 she applied for a job with the new Goodwill facility here in Corinth and on November 30th was hired!

Today, December 28, Kit met with her Crosswind Financial Counselor, opened a savings account and bought a car!

Way to go Kit!!! We are so proud of you!

-Ronda

Merry Christmas... Crosswind Style

Tonight I experienced Christmas in a way I never have before.

Tonight a group of friends gathered together to share Christmas Carols with the wonderful people of Farmington Arms. As we gathered I looked around and saw the most beautiful sight. Black & White, Young & Old, Rich & Poor, Residents of FA and people from all over Alcorn County gathering for the same purpose to share Christmas with others through song. I walked along with the carolers carrying Spiced Cider and my friend and her daughter carried plates of cookies to give out to those who dared to open their door to this rather large group of people carrying candles and wearing Santa hats. To us we many have seemed out of tune and unorganized, but to those who heard us to those who listened I believe they heard and saw something completely different. Many ventured out of their warm homes and stood and listened to the songs of Christmas...Joy to the World, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, etc.

...and then it happened; a door was opened not only to hear the songs, but a door was opened for us to share the hope of Christmas with a new resident. A single Dad raising 3 young children. As he opened his door we showered him and his children with cookies and cider. I dont think he really knew what to do with us, not sure he had ever experienced such a welcome party, but he chated with my husband and a few of the youth for a while. We wished him and his children a Merry Christmas, invited them over to the Crosswind Apt for more fun and fellowship and left him and his family on the balcony. I looked back as we left and he was standing outside watching us as we walked away. As we gathered up in the Crosswind Apt we began to fellowship together and helped the children begin the decorating of mini-gingerbread houses. For most this was the first gingerbread house they had ever seen, much less decorated. It was so much fun and we had a house full!

Then from around the corner I saw him! He had come and brought his 3 children with him. "Can we build a gingerbread house too?" they asked. As we squeezed them into the already crowded room they began to build their houses and we began to build relationship with dad. We found out he had just moved here from Michagan and had been able to get work...which for many is a miracle in and of itself. He was doing well but was having a hard time. Robert Gates the one we call our "Pastor of Farmington" began to share with him all about the neighborhood and how the kids could come to Bible Study and how there was a Bible Study for him as well. Robert shared with him how the people in this room wanted to come along beside him and help him work through this difficult time in his life. As Robert shared with him he began to open up and Robert was able to find out that he wasnt going to be able to have much of a Christmas for the kids because he had not been at work for long. "Well, Robert said, we will fix that tomorrow". Come to my home when you get off work and we will provide a way for you to be able to give your kids Christmas presents. "Really" was all he could say.

So tomorrow we will begin our new friendship and relationship with a single dad and through a single act of kindness begin to share with him the greatest gift of all "Christ"! And we thought all we were going to be doing tonight was share Christmas Carols and build gingerbread houses...when God's plan all along was for us to share the hope of Christmas and build a relationship with a single dad and his children that will lead to friendship with each other and Him.

Now to me that is Christmas!

-Ronda Windham

Lighthouse Brings Joy To The City

There's a famous old gospel song that talks about a lighthouse... the chorus says, "And I thank God for the Lighthouse..." and so do we.

Fifteen years ago God told a young basketball star and his preacher buddy to go where the broken were and bring the light of the gospel. And like Abraham and many other men of faith before them, they did just that.

Every year at Christmas, the Lighthouse invites the believers of the city (the Church) to partner with them to bring a blessing to people in need. This year was no exception. The Church gets to join together for a day of hope and inspiration offerring the gospel and a listening ear to the hurting in our community. This year the Lighthouse gave away 6000 toys to over 1500 kids from over 500 families. And every family heard the gospel, was provided one-on-one counsel and prayer, was treated like royalty and 'loved on' bigtime. Wow!

God told us when we gathered together to "stir one another up to love and good works." Well the Lighthouse Toy Store does just that. It's impossible to go and not be stirred. We are stirred with compassion. We are stirred by the gospel. We are stirred by the brokenness some of us weren't aware of in our city. We are stirred by the love of Christ. We are stirred by Christian unity and fellowship. The whole day is just a MIGHTY stirring!

We did a video to celebrate the Lighthouse with you. We hope you enjoy it. You'll see what the real magic is behind it for the old gospel song goes on to say... "for Jesus is the Lighthouse and from this world of sin He has shone a light around us that all who will may see, if it wasn't for the Lighthouse, tell me, where would this ship be."

With overwhelming hearts of gratitude and love for Gary, Herbie, Markeena, Nan and the rest of the Lighthouse staff and volunteers... our city loves you and wishes you a Merry Christmas!

CLICK HERE and then on "Personal Stories/Lighthouse"

'Tis the season...

I love Christmas. I love Thanksgiving. And even New Year's Day. I just love this particular time of year.. And for a charity director I especially love it... because it is a unique time of year for generosity and love.

This blog is called InsideOutreach. It is called so because we are trying to give you the reader a behind the scenes look at charity life. We want to share our experiences, to let you in on our experiment. And especially for us, it becomes a diary almost of what we were learning along the way as we tried to start a charity and use it to start a missionary movement in our city.

So this season is unique i that everyone is charity minded during this season. There are angel tree's and Christmas basket giveaways and our famous Toy Store and special holiday meals and on and on. It is a wonderful season. So what does a charity do during this season of cheer? And particularly what is Crosswind doing and why?

Crosswind is using this season to be a lively partner of the many events already scheduled. Here's what we mean by lively partner:

1. Our donors and volunteers are donating and volunteering at the many great charity events in town and 2. We are helping the people in need get connected to your events.

That's all... We thought about having our own thing but why? There's so much good stuff going on in our community already. There are many of us that can make a bigger impact by teaming up with others instead of doing stuff by ourselves.

Come January, we'll have our plate full again, but for now, we're coming to your place.

...And we're bringing friends.

BC

There's a lot to be said for 'Going 4th'

Several months ago a small band of missional believers in Iuka, Mississippi got a burden for the "left outs" of their city. They felt God call them to be a friend to folks without one, to bring a smile to a lonely person's face, to well, live out the person of Jesus who lived in them...

And boy have they. They have had regular outreaches into the subsidized apt complexes, have met and made many new friends, have assisted as they could, loved often and deeply from their hearts. And once again we're hearing the story. A story of fulfillment , of really living out their Christian experience, of almost "feeling like Jesus out there."

You know how it happened? They just went for it... or to use their name, they went 4th. They named their ministry after Jesus' call to us to Go 4th. Simple isn't it? Everything changes when you do. Nothing when you don't. Thank you Go4th for going 4 it!

You inspire us and 'stir us up to love and good works'.

CLICK HERE and then on "Personal Stories/Go4th"

-BC

More than a meal

Last night a wonderful thing happened at the warehouse. A bunch of friends got together
for a meal...

We didn't grow up together, some on one side of the track some on the other and we don't share similar backgrounds or jobs or religious roots. We don't live in the same neighborhoods or attend the same social events. We aren't all well to do (some of us don't even have jobs)... so how is it that we've all become friends? It's simple...

He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. Eph 2:14

One of the deep joys of the Crosswind story is the new sense of community we have found. Just this week, some people from the apartments (people who on the average have about $700 a month), made homemade soup and delivered it to all the residents over 50. And they reported on the smiles and the tears as people received this simple yet profound gift from their neighbors. There's something about being included, about feeling like you're 'one of them', you know, the insiders.... and little things matter.

A Crosswinder took a friend to a football game. He had been his whole life. His friend, never. Just Monday a Crosswinder took a friend to Cracker Barrel in Tupelo. She had never been to a Cracker Barrel. She is 40. A friend was invited to have a birthday lunch at Dinner Bell. He'd never had one, not with doctors and bankers. He's 53. And what these friends keep telling other friends is that for the first time in their lives, they feel like a part of the community they grew up in.

So now you are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Eph 2:19-20

I don't know how we got so divided. Black and white, rich and poor, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Pentecostal... the proverbial 'us and them' at every turn and in every way we can think of. But Jesus broke down the walls of seperation and made us all one family. And friends our great joy is to get to experience it... all God's children, living and loving in practical love and unity, choosing to be together and live life together.

Last night we had a meal together, but it was more than a meal...

It was community.

BC

Once you start looking... they're everywhere

I'm sure this has happened to you, you hardly were aware that something existed, then it's everywhere.

I remember the first time I actually had a personal relationship with a boy who had autism and his family. Typical story, perfectly fine until just after two year vaccines, then he's autistic. Wow, I thought, surely not. But just because I had that encounter my antennae went up and sure enough, this story is repeated year after year by thousands of parents. Wow!

It's like that with missionary life. Crosswind is overtly trying to start a missionary movement in Corinth. We are trying to walk the walk (be missionaries ourselves) and alos provide practical strategies (gameplans) for other believers who have taken up the missionary call on their lives ("even as my Father sent me, so send I you" - Jesus). And sure enough -they're everywhere!

There's Becky and her team who are missionaries to Alzheimer patients; Tommy and Tuesdae and their teams, missionaries to recovering addicts; Gary and his team, missionaries to inner city kids; the team at Bishop's House, missionaries to the elderly; Ernestine and Vicky and Linda and their teams, missionaries to the poor. There are foster care missionaries, missioaries to girls with crisis pregnancies, food missionaries and clothes missionaries. Well... there are missionaries all around.

One of my favorite stories is a small team who are missionaries to families struggling with life's issues. This team of five have led over 100 people to faith in Christ... every year for the past fourteen years! Unbelievable! How many churches do you know that can say that?

There is something about being focused, intentionally shifting your energies to missionary life, getting out there and making a difference that changes everything. I am thankful that God is calling so many to missionary life.

Look around, they're everywhere. Then join 'em.

BC

Some people know... and other people really know.

I've been learning the Bible by experience more now than ever.

I grew up in a Bible saturated environment. Devotions in the morning and evening, no TV or radio (except two Christians radio shows), in church every time the doors.. you know. I knew the Bible. When I went to camp I won the memory award easily. I already knew the verses before I went. But, even though I knew the Bible I didn't know it's author and that makes all the difference in the world. Now that I know the author, it seems I'm having to get to know the Bible all over again.

Outreach is fertile ground for knowing. I remember a situation recently where I learned what Jesus means when he says "Lend, expecting nothing in return." It makes for a fun Bible study doesn't it? Sounds counter intuitive. Lend means "expect it back". After all if you don't expect it back.. isn't that giving? Until I saw it in real life. A woman lent to another lady (in great need) expecting nothing in return. She really did! Just drove away free as a bird. Didn't expect anything in return even though she had lent. Just like Jesus said.

Last night we heard a precious young lady tell her story about her rape, being stabbed in the neck and being left to die. I want you to watch her story. There is a startling part. And it's not what you just read. It's only three minutes. And you really need to see it... you'll see what I mean about learning the Bible by experience.

Here's the verse Danielle knows by experience: "Mark 11:25 ...if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." Some people know... and other people know.

CLICK HERE and then on "Danielle's story"

-BC

This is how it works and why we do it, thanks Don.

This was a reply to my last blog where I talked about all you who give so others can have things for "free". This was Don's response....

I've lived at both ends of the spectrum. Back years ago when I was living the care free life making $50,000.00 a year I never thought about how the ministries were paying for what they did in the community.

Then 6 years ago when I hit the bottom of the bottom, I was homeless, sick and lost all hope. I spent 3 nights in a shelter in Memphis. Put on a bus and sent to Corinth. Once here I recieved help from several ministers, organzations and individuals. I was housed by TVRHA, got help with that. What is sad is I never thought about where this money was coming from that was in 2003 in 2004 I was still just making it. I was getting food stamps and churchs and individuals were helping with my bills but never gave a thought where the money was coming from. I went to the Hospital 3 times in 2004. In 2005 I got a part time job making $350.00 a month. But I still had to make choices about paying rent and utilities over buying medicines and seeing Doctors. Between 2005 to 2008 I went to the Hospital 11 times avg stay was 6 days. But there again, I never thought about where the money was coming from for any of it...

But I will say this, I hear people talk how bad Magnolia Hospital is. But let me tell you I've never been turned down for treatment and have recieved nothing but exceptional care from everyone there. Our very own Dr. Matt Johnson has performed lifesaving surgery on me, Dr. Tim Noyes, Dr. Kerry Morgan, Dr. Pratt and several others have seen thru each trip to the hospital. Sadly I never thought about who was paying for it. But I know if it was not for them I would have died...

What really changed me and made me realize was during my last visit to the Hospital in November 11-23, 2008 this is when I #1 rededicated my life to the Lord Jesus and #2 two men became not only my friends but my new family and that's Bobby Capps and Tommy Wilson. Once I got to know them and their ministries (which I consider everyone in their mnistries as my family now) and how they affect so many lives it woke me up and saw thru them the day to day struggle to find the financing to help the so many they do on a daily basis. Then it woke me up to all the ministries here in town who are doing so much like Gary Caveness at Lighthouse, John Wilbanks at Love in Truth, Dr Ken Digby and many others.

I knew while I was still in the Hospital on Nov. 18th 2008 that I needed to get out and get involved. I couldn't help very much financially but the Lord put in me to take me experiences the past 6 years and help the people in my community. I get a little over zealous sometimes and worry that I'm not doing enough. I know that there are times that I bug Bobby, Ronda, Judy and Tommy but I can't help it. I just feel that the Lord has put this in me to help where and when I can. I still can't help much finacially. But if you every just need someone to talk to, or as Tommy Wilson says "if you just need someone to cry with or laugh with but most important to pray with". I'm there for you anytime day or night.

Love yall and God Bless each and everyone.

Don Vinson

Somebody has to pay... thank you!

Some of 'ma boys' were going to a high school to promote an upcoming concert and posted this on Facebook... "Headed to Alcorn Central Middle School's FCA to promote Nov 15 concert at Crossroads Arena. Tony Nolan, NewSong, BlueTree, oh yeah... its free!"

Well.... not really, somebody has to pay.

Businesses and churches and visionary people all over this town who want to see young people make ongoing commitments to Christ and grow strong and stand firm in their faith... they're paying. They know that little by little, from faith to faith, from glory to glory, that students and young adults are making decisions that will impact their lives and they want to offer to them opportunities to nail down their commitments, make new ones and for some, to come to know Jesus personally.

Thank you, those of you who are paying... our students lives will be changed.

It's the same for us, the things we take for granted, the free things, the best things, even our salvation, we act like it's free. It's not, somebody paid... Jesus did. The old gospel song says, "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe..." and He did and I do. Thank you Jesus!

At Crosswind each month hundreds of people receive care from volunteers and thousands of dollars are paid to help people. To them it's free, but not to you... you pay. You pay with your time with your billfolds and with your hearts. Just wanted to let you know that we know and we are thankful.

Thank you donors and volunteers, lives are being changed.

BC

Facebook, Twitter and Outreach

I've become a big fan of social media. Yesterday Facebook's COO said that everyday 30 million different people use Facebook... that's a lot. I think it is just another indicator of how God has wired us for relationship and we'll take it however we can get it. I know I will.

Here's some practical uses for social media as it relates to outreach.

1. Celebrate good deeds. Brag on Jesus. When you see Jesus making a difference... let us know. Being a witness is like being an investigative reporter, reporting on what Jesus is doing in your life and in your community... be His witnesses.

2. Share your needs. Many times "we have not because we ask not." Use social media to ask for clothes for your friend whose house burned or a bed for a person without one. I know one missional group in Iuka (Go4th ministries) that wanted to give household supplies to the poor in their neighborhood. They 'Facebooked it' and God provided all the supplies they needed.

3. Tell stories. I love to hear how God is changing lives. I love to hear their stories. Many churches and organizations like Crosswind give a steady diet of stories of how God is rescuing the perishing and healing the brokenhearted and setting the captives free. Tell your stories. It let's us know God is still at work.

4. Get in on what God is up to. This is the 'home run' for social media. If we broadcast the stories of God, the love of God, the needs that we have and where God is at work... it makes us want to get involved. I don't want everybody else to experience God and me miss out. It "stirs one another up to love and good works."

Social media is our new reality. Use it for the glory of God... c'mon, stir me up!

BC

No Fear

Out west there is a cutting edge clothing designer called No Fear. They used to have great lines on their T-shirts. Here are two of my favorites:

You can't steal second with your foot on first. No Fear

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. No Fear

Missionary life is uncharted territory. Crosswind volunteers, in the past couple of weeks, witnessed a kidnapping, were right in the middle of another, were handed crack cocaine in our office and had a supervised "flushing" moment, rescued a child almost three who no one knew was legally blind, were involved in Hospital psych floor issues, a restraining order, sheriff visits... and on and on.

But it is in this uncharted territory that in that same period we had record LIFEgroup attendance in the neighborhoods, saw families stabilized by faith in Jesus, and volunteered hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars...all for the sake of what Jesus may do in people's lives.

And we are by no means alone. Tommy Wilson's Living Free Ministries had to break a wall out and buy 100 seats for people who come hungry for Jesus and his Gospel to set them free. Gary Caveness and the Lighthouse have been having a marvelous breakthroughs in restoring Godly manhood and fatherhood after 15 years of working with mom's and kids. Bill Chemowski is planting a church in a trailer in one of our trailer parks so he can be an effective servant to that community. Love and Truth church has 'adopted' the mini-cities community and are making that neighborhood their mission field bringing love, truth and hope to their neighbors. If you ask any of these Christians how they're doing, they'll tell you they're having the time of their lives. If I may let me state the two axioms above in missional lingo:

You can't reach your neighbors if you stay in your church. No Fear

You lose 100% of the people you don't reach out to. No Fear

Become all things to all men so that by all means you may win some.

-BC

America, Rights and Lights

There's a lot of talk right now about healthcare. Should all Americans have it? Is it a right? Well here's some thoughts for ya'...

1. Of course we all want healthcare, duh?

2. And many many don't have it... especially the poor who Crosswind is focused on.

3. And many others have it at great personal expense... unless you have a full time job with a larger company, most have to purchase it on their own, and IT'S EXPENSIVE!

So... many can't afford it (Crosswind's friends) and those who can are choking on it's cost (including employers who buy it for their employees). But here's the underlying question for me: IS IT A RIGHT? Because if it is, then morally, we as a society, MUST provide it, and if it's not then...

In America we said education is a right, so the nation as a whole pays for it. We believe that in order for ALL to have access to the "American Dream" they need an education. So WE THE PEOPLE pay for it. Now, we are asking if healthcare is the same? And ultimately if we determine it is, WE THE PEOPLE will pay for it. Everything I asked you was bait to get you to think about THIS:

Is having your lights on a right?

In Crosswinds' world and in the world of our city's charities and benevolence ministries (e.g. Corinth Welfare, His Compassionate Touch, Catholic Social Services, Living Free, Lighthouse, numerous churches, etc.) most of our direct financial help goes to keeping people's lights on. And yes, we all know about financial management etc. Here's the question:

WE THE PEOPLE give poor people a roof over their head at little to no cost (subsidized housing), we give food at little or no cost (food stamps) and we educate at no cost (government schools) and now we are asking the people to give healthcare to all.... ready?

Can't we turn their lights on first?

BC

PS I am gonna answer all responses on this question cause I am presupposing their may be a misunderstanding or two :-)

It's not about the 99... it's about the 1

Do you think there is MORE rejoicing in heaven over finding ONE stray sheep than over the whole church getting smarter through Bibles study, having better marriages, having great children's programs, and all the rest of the stuff the 99 do for themselves?

Would you support your pastor if he said, "Don't come to service this week unless you come with a lost sheep over your shoulders?"

Do you think it's about the 99? About you and your Christian friends...the 99? Or is it about them, the 1?

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing." (Luke 15:4,5)

Our problem isn't new. In Ezekiel's time he gave a pointed, heart wrenching observation that is still very true today. He said that the church had fed herself, had become fat and the lost sheep were wandering the hills with no one looking. (Ez 34:1-6) But the power of the appeal was not that it came from Ezekiel but that it was from our loving God, and for Him... it was personal.

"My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them."

It's not about us, we're fat enough... it's about them.

-BC

(To hear the 9/27 Gathering message "The 99 or the 1?" click HERE)

New scorecard, Old gameplan

The following five minute piece is a conversation we had at Hope Church in Tupelo, Mississippi about community ministry. There is a shift from missions projects and outreaches to long-term relationships, weekly commitments that are just as important to the person of faith as the weekly meeting for worship or the weekly small group meeting of teaching.

This vital shift has taken place as churches and ministries like Crosswind and others have begun to see their own community as just as valid and vital of a mission field as anywhere in the whole world. The shift is taking place all over the church as Christians everywhere realize that there are significant unreached pockets right here in our own community. Also, the community problems (drug use, single parents, unmarried sex, disease, poverty, dropout rate, etc) are rising in nearly every community.

And the obvious question is: Why isn't the church making an impact in our culture?

We believe that Christians have gone to the neighborhood to make converts, but not disciples... it takes a different strategy, a different game plan and a different scorecard.

-Click here to see Crosswind's concept for community ministry-

-BC

It takes a village...

Just using the infamous phrase that made many scream is risky but she might have been on to something...

"It takes a village to raise a child" is what Hillary Clinton suggested. Many said that what she meant by that was a shirking of parental responsibility and 'government handout' of care was needed to raise a child. Of course, if that's what she meant... well, lets not go there.

However, God does push responsibility past the front door of the house, especially for certain children... like the fatherless.

And just who is the fatherless anyway? It really is important to figure that out you know. Some say if a person has a living father they are not fatherless. They say let the father take responsibility for their offspring. But here's the question... what if they don't? and won't? Is the child fatherless now? Check in with child... would they say they are fatherless?

Isn't it true that if we don't say they are fatherless then we don't feel responsible?

I know that stings a little. I used to think that way too. But I've seen the church make every excuse in the world for not reaching people, for not defending the defenseless, caring for single moms (they're not REAL widows), helping those who need it (they made the bed, they can sleep in it), and for not caring for children who are not being raised with a father in the home.

1. God thinks these people are vulnerable. 2. He told us to help them. 3. They need our help.

Stop making excuses.

BC

Missionaries do weird stuff but it's okay, they're missionaries!

If you've ever been on a overseas missions trip you know one thing for sure: Missionaries think outside the box.

They have services wherever they can, bible studies at a moments notice, baptize in rivers and streams and with buckets, even have women preachers and stuff. And guess what? Nobody gets freaked out! Know why? They are missionaries...they do what it takes to get the job done.

But....when you get back home, well....back in the box you go. At Crosswind we're learning that being missionaries along side a churched culture provides real challenges. I'm gonna list a couple, but as I do imagine if you saw the same thing in the Philippines or India or Africa... for example:

• We baptize people when they come to faith in Jesus in a temporary baptistry...

Isn't it exciting to hear the mission trip stories about how many got saved and "we weren't gonna be there long so we just took 'em out right there and baptized 'em." And all God's people said.... Yet, when we did it... whew, let me just say, it wasn't pretty.

• An issue that has recently been chatted about is: How are your kids getting taught if they don't "go to church"?

Every time I've visited missionaries around the world I find they are very creative about their children's care. Most homeschool, train their children in the scriptures through at home bible studies and devotions. And most of them do it every day not just once or twice a week. Not a one that I have met feel like their children were being cheated. God gave parents the responsibility to "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

We are missionaries to our own city and we know that it scares some folks and some folks can't quite figure out..."Why won't they just get in the box?" Well, it's cause we're missionaries, and missionaries think outside the box.

But here is what you can be sure of: We're gonna have bible studies wherever we can, baptize 'em when they get saved, take communion wherever we get believers together, teach our children the Bible and show 'em how it works in real life, preach whenever we get an audience, worship in a field or in our warehouse or in a car. And we're gonna do it...

Cause we're missionaries.

BC

Outreach screams for help...

I used to wonder why Jesus started his outreach program with prayer for help... not anymore.

In Luke 10, Jesus told his disciples to go prepare some cities for His visit. His instructions were specific and if studied deeply (as they have been by many) incredibly profound. So much so that outreach ministries like ours model that passage 'to the t'. Here's the passage (note the highlighted verbs):

Luke 10:1-9
The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2 These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.
3 Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don't take any money with you, nor a traveler's bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don't stop to greet anyone on the road. 5 "Whenever you enter someone's home,
first say, 'May God's peace be on this house.' 6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7 Don't move around from home to home.
Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay. 8 "If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you.
9 Heal the sick, and
then say to them, 'The Kingdom of God is near you now.'

Those verbs, in that order, and what is meant by them are the Crosswind Neighbor strategy. But why is pray at the top? And look at what the prayer is for. Not whether or not we should go. Not where we should. He answered those questions. Funny how we sometimes still pray about those things. No, He instructed us to pray for help, "people help" specifically.

Here's how I pray for people help:
1. Lord, touch the hearts of people so they can see the world like you do and fill them with your compassion.
2. Lord, move those people by your compassion to the people who need you.
3. And Lord, when we get there (in the field together) let us with love and unity, work together for you, for your interests, for your glory and for the good of the people you have sent us to.

You see, here's reality: There are lots of people doing a lots of loving things out of the goodness of their hearts. Civic clubs, churches, charities, ministries, and government organizations. But oh how much more effective we will be when we begin to do them together.
I'll be blogging about that in the days to come, until then...

Pray for people help.

Caravan of love

Last night around 7:30pm as I (Don) was sitting at my computer desk, looking out the window. I see this caravan of vehicles drive into Hickory Terrace loaded with LOVE!!!!

This wonderful group of people, who I'm sure had worked all day at there jobs then came out to Hickory Terrace with furniture, food, non-food items and lots of Love for a Mother and her 3 children. I was so moved by these people that I walked down to where they were out. That about killed me and I'm paying for it this morning but I just felt that I had to go down and let this wonderful group of people know how much they were appreciated.

I think the Security Officer said it all last night.

He said that He never seen any Church or organization move so quickly to help someone before like Crosswind. He was amazed at how much Crosswind did in such a little bit of time. He was truly moved at the LOVE that was being shown this family. He said that whole families were here helping this family in need. (Lanny Monroe and Family) He was still talking about it this morning.

After everyone had left Ms. Pettis and I stood outside of her building.

Ms Pettis said to me that she had just about given up all hope but after today and all the Blessings that she and her family had recieved today "everything was gong to be alright"..

Bobby, Ronda and Judy thank yall so much for putting all this together in such a short time. Plus I didn't know everyone last night that was here from Crosswind but please on behalf of myself, the Pettis Family and all the residents of Hickory Terrace, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!! There were several residents last night that saw first hand the Love and Caring of Crosswind last night. The LORD surly blessed us yesterday, not only did he provide the needs but showered us wth LOVE.. I don' know who said this but I read it in a church bulletin "

WHEN WE SHARE ANOTHER'S BURDEN, WE DISPLAY GOD'S LOVE AND CARE, OFFERING RELIEF AND COMFORT WHEN LIFE SEEMS TO MUCH TO BEAR".

LOVE YALL, DON

(Ms. Pettis made an emergency move to Corinth from Detroit after being laid off from work, and her children's high school consolidated with 4 others and to use her words had become a "war zone". Her children's safety was worth the risk and her main concern. Some plans she made here fell through and she found herself alone and desperate. Thanks to TVHRA, who expedited her application, she was able to get an apartment but had nothing to put in it. She is still "getting her wheels under her" but her kids are safe. She still needs her deposit money to turn her lights on. Her brother may send a check from Detroit.) ... hint :-)

Do You Hear Her? Guest blogger, Anna Lancaster

When I heard that there was an effort to create a home to help single mothers who need help, get on their feet, I became so excited. At the Resource Center for Women, young people come in every day, that are stuck in the cycle. We help them with some of their immediate needs, counsel them, and love them, but we don't get to give them a home, help them get a job, or give them transportation to that job. We do our best to direct that young person to the places that can help them best, but sometimes it isn't enough.

A home where they can get a fresh start would be a God-send to these women. I have known times of need and have made mistakes. Thankfully, I always had a loving family and friends who were able to help me. These women don't have that. If someone cares about them, they are often in the same boat. Some are just victims of circumstance. How do you fight poverty with no weapon? No money, no education, no job. If you can get a job, how do you get there? Would you make any money after you paid for day care? Probably not.

Crosswind Ministries found a building that they would like start this home. Because of zoning issues they had to go before the Mayor and the Aldermen. The people of the surrounding neighborhood came and protested the use of the home for that purpose. The 3 aldermen and the mayor voted no to the rezoning. You can read more about this on the Daily Journal web site.

But, like the others involved, I know that this does not mean that this is the end of that dream. God still wants us to love others and help them. He will help those who want to do those things. So this is what I want to ask of you: How can you help?

Do you have time, resources, or love to give to these women? I know that sometimes we care but don't know how to begin. Now it is easy. You can join these other individuals who care and have a plan.

You know, the reason that the Indian doctors and officials didn't want to help the orphans was that they were of the lowest caste and because of their religious beliefs they thought they should stay there. That they didn't deserve help because, they believe that God had put them there. When I told people here in the United States that, they were shocked. They couldn't believe anyone would act that way. But, if we don't help these women, their children, and all of the others who are on hard times and want to get out of it, are we not just like those Indian doctors and officials? Are we saying that because of the choices they made, that they deserve to be right where they are? Are we going to leave them in the gutter because we might lose something by giving to them?

Matthew 9:13 says, "But go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Let us show mercy as we have been shown mercy. Let us LOVE mercy. I am glad that I am not where I DESERVE to be. I heard this song this morning. I have heard it hundreds of times but it hit home today. Please listen to it and see if it speaks to you. It is Casting Crowns-"Does Anybody Hear Her?"

Let me know if you want to help.
With love and in great need of mercy,

Anna

Moms and Mobs

In case you missed it, Corinth City Council voted NOT to allow Crosswind to operate a home for single mom's in a facility that used to be a day care. The vote was split 3-4 with Mayor Latch being the deciding 'no' vote. The residents of the community the day care was in were out in force. The organizer of the residents had a petition that alleged to have all the residents in near proximity to the proposed boarding home.

Here's how prejudice and mob mentality works.

First, you create a monster. In our case the monster was a single mom in Corinth, MS. The way you do this is to make a caricature (exaggerate particular features) of the people. So in our case the people were told that the single mom's were drug addicts and ex-prostitutes, victims of abuse, etc. We heard also that they had men coming to look for them and abuse them more. Remember, none of this has to be true and in most cases of prejudice represents a small sampling of a particular group of people, but those are the only features that you hear about.

Next, you generate fear of the monster you've created. In our case a person from the community took a petition and went home by home generating interest and fear in the "monster" single moms. He highlighted portions of a newspaper article and began the process.

Then, you add community and conversation and research, increasing fear. Once you have created a monster and gotten the word out the frenzy begins. People do research, draw on their own personal experiences (all negative of course), but most importantly they talk to one another, endorsing and adding to each others fears. We heard a neighbor generating fear about home values presuming they would decrease, we heard some talk about history in the prisons and working with "the monsters", etc. Each person shares stories and research increasing the fear and prejudice of the collective whole. The only thing the ringleaders must do in this phase is to ensure no one hears the truth and definitely not the other side of the story. We made an effort to sit down with the community organizers and answer questions, clarify concerns and our intentions but that offer was rejected. The sheep were afraid. That was enough.

Finally, you release the community to their lowest instincts, of fear, hatred, and prejudice. In our case, this was the meeting. People came in afraid and angry and that was all that was needed. It usually is.

This is a simple process that draws on primal human feelings of self preservation and fear.

Here's the problem, Single mom's are not monsters. My mom didn't know she was marrying a guy with childhood abuse that would later be acted out in her home. She worked three jobs barely surviving trying to raise six children, on her knees every night, at church every week, loving her children, doing her best, not a monster at all. Or the girl who gets pregnant and the male is not held responsible to help and now she is a mom and ill-equipped to be one and trying like crazy to make it, not a monster at all.

Or any of a zillion other reasons there are single moms.

If you take any of the mob, get them alone with the moms, let them hear their stories and feel their struggles... with few exceptions, the hard hearts would soften and the same people who were afraid and angry and operating at a primal level would rise, their souls would feel compassion and the cycle would reverse.

Instead of bad memories and experiences and research they would have a great sense of urgency and creativity mobilized to help the mom rather than hurt her. Now they would be telling their friends the stories of hope and progress and baby steps forward, instead of made up stories from our worst examples and our worst fears.

The only thing you have to do is to take the imaginary monster and replace it with a real single mom. And please, for the sake of single moms and their children, and their future... Pick moms over mobs.

In case you're wondering, we love single moms. We're gonna stand with them, try to figure out how to help them, struggle with them, cry when they do, celebrate their baby steps forward, and look with great hope to the day they will be able to live in the very neighborhood that rejected them... not for spite's sake, for their sake...

And for yours.

BC

Fresh Love, Fresh Fire...More Reflections From India

When I was asked to go along on this medical trip to India, I said "yes" without even thinking about it. Then reality set in...I would be taking a week and a half off from my practice and I knew it would put more stress on me when I got back. But here was the rub: At Crosswind, we are constantly referring to James 1:27 as our basis for ministry. You know that really inconvenient verse where God calls us to look after the orphans and widows in their distress. The way I read this verse is that we are to care for the most vulnerable people in our local communities and our world at large. There was no denying that the orphaned children in Kota, India qualified as some of the most oppressed and vulnerable people in our world. I've learned a whole lot about James 1:27 from actually entering into conversation with the real flesh and blood reality of poverty and social oppression. Actually touching the children from the slums and being touched by them changes your outlook on life. You can't go on a trip like this and not be affected.

I know that a lot of people didn't see the value in a trip like this. I, for one, have always been a bit skeptical of short-term missions. What's the point of spending thousands of dollars to go to the other side of the world for just a four day clinic, when that same amount of money could have put three pastors through seminary in India or something? I struggled with doubts like this before the trip, but here's the thing. God wouldn't ask us to do it if He couldn't accomplish something worthwhile. We went on this trip because we are Christians and this is one of the ways we follow our God...by serving others. So even though we were with them for just a week and basically only treated their immediate medical needs once, it did make a difference. I could have just sent money. I could have sent medicine. I could have sent Bibles. I could have sent stuffed toys. But those things are not the message. How do you show someone what God is all about? You stand in front of them and say "I'm here for you".

Between medical clinics, our group had the opportunity to help serve lunch to the 400 children in the Rajasthan orphanage. It struck me that these kids have had lives I could never even imagine. They've lost their families to starvation, illness, murder, natural disaster, and who knows what else…but they're kids just like we were once. It was a life-changing experience to be in the middle of a sea of children who would be roaming the streets of India without God and Hopegiver's International. In that moment, looking around at dozens and dozens of eyes looking at you, needing help, it felt overwhelming. I think I needed to see it that way to realize that all we can do is love on them with the time we have and remind them that they are loved and that God has designed them for a purpose.

When I reflect back on our India trip, I think about people…broken people…hurting people…impoverished people. I think about the thousands of people God allowed my life to intersect with and the awesome group of people I had the honor of working with from our small town here in Mississippi. I was completely humbled to have this opportunity, because I have been able to see the impact of a life-changing ministry first hand, and I have loved on and cared for children that may not have survived without the help of Hopegiver's International.

-Bubba McQueen

The Hard Work of Missions

I hear this every where I go, "Bobby, I feel God calling me, I just don't know exactly what he wants." Sometimes it sound like this, "I know that what I'm doing is not fulfilling. It's not that I don't love my church or my life, it's just that God has put in me a burden, a burden that is not yet fulfilled."

So what do you do?

Prov 16:9 says, The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

What this verse says to me along with many others is that the Lord is "giving me the desires of my heart", burdening me, urging me, making me dissatisfied with the present, uprooting me and at the same time he is making me trust him for what to do next, "establishing my steps."

So how do you know the steps? How do you know what's next?

It usually comes in an opportunity, a door the Lord opens for us, for you, something simple, something maybe even too simple, trite, but meaningful. You like it, it fits, it excites you, but... "is this really it?"

Col. 4:5 "make the most of every opportunity..." that's what God says, that's what we do. The opportunity is the step that the Lord establishes or directs. What happens next is very cool. God takes that step and opens up to you your way, your next chapter, your next phase. Maybe it's school or an environment that is simply meant for your training, maybe it is something to purify you and cause you to trust God more like a sickness or a job loss or a failure, and maybe it's a big break.

But whatever it is, you come to it by seizing the opportunity that is before you that is in line with the burden of your heart and voila, God does the rest.

And that's the hardest work we do. It is trusting that Jesus really is in charge of the desires of my heart, that he really directs my steps, that he really opens doors and that I can confidently, full of faith and without doubting take that step know God's plan for me right now.

Your turn. Take the step.

BC