Ya get whatcha give!

A great way to start our week! “Give and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over.”   LUKE 6:38 Lord, please help me to treat, honor, and respect others the same way I wish to be treated no matter what, AMEN.  “Love and tolerance of others is our code.” Big Book pg 84 Have a blessed week y’all! Eat right, exercise, and learn from the WORD! How is your “SERVE”?!? 

http://www.mountainpark.org/serve/in-the-city/

In the City

When Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God, he upset power-hungry religious scholars by turning their value system upside down. He described the poor, the marginalized, the mourning and the persecuted as "blessed," and he taught his followers to love and serve the down and out.

Mountain Park seeks to live out these kingdom values by sharing the Gospel and serving the poor and underprivileged in Phoenix and in the most God-starved parts of the world.

You can help us reach out to our community by serving at a REACH event (see upcoming events at left), or dare to volunteer on your own or with your d.group or family at one of the organizations listed below.

Mountain Park Food Pantry

Location: 2408 E Pecos Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85048
Contact: Barb Leclerc - bleclerc@mountainpark.org
Purpose: Provides food boxes to individuals and families in Ahwatukee and surrounding communities
Projects: Collect and donate non-perishable food items, sort and pack food boxes

Alongside Ministries

Location: 1810 S 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009
Contact: Phone: 602-995-9484 Website: alongside-ministries.com
Purpose: Provides Christian counsel to inmates and assists them in making the transition from the prison church to the local church in the community
Projects: Be a friend to individuals coming out of prison. Leaders are needed for in-prison bible studygroups

A New Leaf

Location: 868 E. University Dr., Mesa, AZ 85203
Contact: Phone: 480-464-4648 Website: TurnaNewLeaf.org
Purpose: Helping families overcome homelessness through shelters, youth and communityprograms
Projects: Preparing/serving meals, cleaning, landscaping, or ongoing clerical and support opportunities

Maggie's Place

Location: One Tempe Location, Two Phoenix Locations
Contact: Phone: 602-257-4648 Website: maggiesplace.org Email: kpiehl@maggiesplace.org
Purpose: A home for expectant mothers who are alone or living on the streets
Projects: Various work projects around the house

Phoenix Rescue Mission

Location: 1801 South 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009
Contact: Phone: 602-346-3339 Website: phoenixrescuemission.org
Purpose: Vibrant and growing Christian Mission serving needy and homeless men, women and families in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
Projects: Preparing and serving meals, office support

Sojourner Center

Contact: Phone: 602-253-9180 Website: sojournercenter.org
Purpose: Largest shelter in Arizona for women trying to escape domestic violence
Projects: Various opportunities available, Monday through Saturday 8 am to 3 pm, ages 12 and up

UMOM New Day Centers

Location: 3320 E Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85009
Contact: Phone: 602-275-4533 Website: umom.org
Purpose: Homeless shelter for women and children
Projects: Painting and maintenance, sort clothes, mentor teens, read to children and numerous other opportunities

Sunshine Acres Children's Home

Location: 3405 N Higley Rd., Mesa, AZ 85215
Contact: Phone: 480-832-2540 Website: sunshineacres.org Email: info@sunshineacres.org
Purpose: Our mission is to provide a loving, wholesome Christian home for children who are separated from their parents for one reason or another, and to help them establish long-term relationships with stable parental figures
Projects: Tutor, teach, paint, carpentry and electrical work, office support and more

Project C.U.R.E.

Location: 2115 E. Cedar Street, Tempe AZ 85281
Contact: Phone:480-237-0970 Website: projectcure.org
Purpose: Faith based medical relief organization and the world’s largest supplier of donated medical supplies and equipment to developing countries.
Projects: Volunteer opportunities for all ages, HS requires 1 adult/10 students; Jr High requires 1 adult/5 students; Elem requires 1 adult/1 child, Days/times: Mon-Sat days and evenings. Projects: sort inventory and package medical supplies

Crisis Pregnancy Center

Location: 1818 E Southern Ave #13, Mesa, AZ 85204
Contact: Phone: 480-733-2740 Website: choicesaz.org
Purpose: Serving women and families in crisis due to an unplanned pregnancy.
Projects: Various tasks ranging from serving food to preparing

http://www.mountainpark.org/serve/in-the-city/

Freedom!

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free ; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery..” Galatians 5:1 Lord, thank you for setting me free! Please help me to resist the slavery of this world hidden in poor choices of food, thought, actions, and deeds, AMEN. “We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.” Big Book pg 83 Have a blessed day y’all! Wanna get free of ……( insert “IT” here)…. http://www.mountainpark.org/ad/

2012 Summer Water Drive

"Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established." Proverbs 16:3  Lord, thank You for all the blessings we receive through  serving You by helping  others, AMEN.  "When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable things followed. We had a new Employer." Big Book pg 63 Have a blessed day y'all! Can you spare and share some water?!?


 http://www.mountainpark.org/event/327081-2012-06-01-2012-summer-water-drive/


Our 2012 Summer Water Drive is under way and we are currently just under 800 cases short. Don't panic!  You can do something about this!
On Sunday, bring your water donation to the Mountain Park lobby and drop it off with the other cases. Our goal is 1000 total cases. If you would prefer, we are accepting online donations which will be used to purchase as many cases as possible.


It's an easy way to make a big difference for others this summer!


http://www.mountainpark.org/event/327081-2012-06-01-2012-summer-water-drive/

Family Promise Week starts this Sunday!

"Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God." Romans 12:2 Lord thank You for transforming me daily. Please help me to continue to seek and do Your will and not be tricked by my own selfish self will, AMEN.  "...saying to ourselves many times each day “Thy will be done.” We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions." Big Book pg 88 Eat right, exercise, and be of service! Have a blessed day y'all! 

Family Promise Week starts Sunday! Are you in?

 http://www.mountainpark.org/event/321351-2012-06-10-family-promise-june-2012/

For the week of June 10-17, Mountain Park is partnering with Family Promise to provide shelter to homeless families. The mission of the Family Promise initiative is to love and serve our neighbors by providing hot meals and a safe place to sleep, while they work hard to regain their housing, their independence, and their dignity. We need volunteers (that's where you come in) to prepare and serve the meals and also to make sure the families have what they need during their stay at MPCC. 

This serving opportunity is excellent for families and small groups. It could also be a great way to meet people if you're new to Mountain Park. 

She is growing up

It seems like only yesterday that Tami and I took Kai to start Kindergarten and only let her see us smiling and happy as she began her school career.  Thank goodness she did not see our  tears after we dropped her off and realized our little gift from God was growing up.  Today Kai ends 8th grade and prepares to enter high school.  I am pretty sure as we celebrate this achievement and right of passage with her today, she will see her parents now familiar tears of joy, love, and realization that their baby girl is becoming a young woman. We love you Kai and and are so proud of you and we are blessed that God chose us to raise and guide you. "Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master." Ephesians 6:4  Lord, please continue to use me to lead, guide, and direct toward Your truth, grace, and love as she continues her journey, AMEN.  "And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about God." Big Book pg 88 Have a blessed day y'all! Congratulations to the graduates and thier families!

2012 Food and Water Drive

5 lbs gone! Eat right, exercise, and have a blessed day y'all! "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5-6 Lord, thank you for Your truth and Your direction. Please continue to use me to show others Your love, grace, and goodness, AMEN. " ...he made the pointblank declaration that God had done for him what he could not do for himself. ...Here was something at work in a human heart which had done the impossible." Big Book pg 12 Can you spare some water and food to help others?
http://www.mountainpark.org/event/321475-2012-05-20-2012-food-and-water-drive/


2012 Food and Water Drive
We are collecting food for our food pantry, which gives out approximately 2-4 food boxes a week. Items we collect are tuna, mayo, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit, canned vegetables, soup, pasta and spaghetti sauce.
Please drop your donations in the boxes in the church lobby Sundays and during the week.
Our goal this year is to collect 1,000 cases of water for Phoenix Rescue Mission. With tempatures already over 100° this year, water is desperately needed for the homeless in our commuity.
A case of water costs less than a trip to Starbucks. Pick up a case or two, bring them to church Sunday morning or during the week and put them in the lobby.
You can also donate through our website or dropping cash in the large water bottle in the lobby


Let the Blessings Roll!!!

"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps."  Proverbs 16:9  Lord, I will focus my plans on seeking Your will daily , please guide my thoughts, actions, and will, AMEN.  "We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, we ask God to direct our thinking, especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, dishonest or self-seeking motives." Big Book pg  86 Eat right, exercise, and have a blessed day y'all!  Family Promise week is coming! Have you signed up to help yet?  

Family Promise Week June  10 -17

For the week of June 10-17, Mountain Park is partnering with Family Promise to provide shelter to homeless families. The mission of the Family Promise initiative is to love and serve our neighbors by providing hot meals and a safe place to sleep, while they work hard to regain their housing, their independence, and their dignity. We need volunteers (that's where you come in) to prepare and serve the meals and also to make sure the families have what they need during their stay at MPCC. 

This serving opportunity is excellent for families and small groups. It could also be a great way to meet people if you're new to Mountain Park. 

In addition to help with serving meals, we need help with  Sunday  afternoon (6/10)  set up and Sunday morning re-set (6/17). 

Are you free for an hour each morning?

 We need to add to our spruce up / tidy up team!  

We also still have a few openings for Overnight hosts 

Please use the link below to  sign up and serve

http://www.mountainpark.org/event/2012-06-10-family-promise-june-2012/  


Let the blessings roll!

Family Promise Week 

6/10 -17 sign ups now open

We are pleased to be partnering with Family Promise to help Ahwatukee and East Valley families who have had a few bad breaks with housing and jobs to get back on their feet again! These folks are in transition to new jobs and housing while they rebuild their lives. I know that this is something we would all do for one another if we were in this situation. We have been blessed these past few months watching the families who have stayed with us move on to long-term, gainful employment and permanent housing!

We will be hosting our guests the week of June 10 -17.

This is an excellent project and service activitiy for d.groups, as well as, individuals looking to get connected!

We need teams of 6-8 to serve meals and have dinner with our guest familes each evening from 6-7:30pm. We need youth groups and children to come along to have dinner and play with the children of our guests. This is the magic that makes Family Promise work! Moms and dads begin to relax when they see their kids having fun! There are also many other ways that you can serve:

• We need a pair of adults to serve one night as overnight hosts each night from 7pm-6am.
• We need assistance with room set up before our guests arrive on Sunday afternoon May 13 and June 10.
• We need clean-up and set-up help to get the rooms turned back into classrooms at 7am before Sunday morning Celebration on May 20 and June 17.
• We could use 1 person who has a few hours during the day to come in and spruce up the rooms while our guests are at school and at the Day Center rebuilding their lives.

Please pray about helping and let us know what you can do! 

 http://mountainpark.org/ministries/care-support/family-promise/

Eat right, exercise and have a blessed day y’all. Healthy living 1 day at a time…."Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your law.” Psalm 119:29 Lord,  please let me stay focused on Your will and not be deceived by the tricks and lies that my weak self will likes to fall victim to, AMEN. “Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances!” Big Book pg 100 Family Promise Week is coming June 10 – 17!

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7  Lord,  my self will weakens me,  please help me to seek Your will and replace my fears with Your power, love, and grace, AMEN.  "We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be." Big Book pg 68  Have a blessed day y'all!

2012 Food and Water Drive

We are collecting food for our food pantry, which gives out approximately 2-4 food boxes a week. Items we collect are tuna, mayo, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit, canned vegetables, soup, pasta and spaghetti sauce.

Please drop your donations in the boxes in the church lobby Sundays and during the week.

Our goal this year is to collect 1,000 cases of water for Phoenix Rescue Mission. With tempatures already over 100° this year, water is desperately needed for the homeless in our commuity.

A case of water costs less than a trip to Starbucks. Pick up a case or two, bring them to church Sunday morning or during the week and put them in the lobby.

You can also donate through our website or dropping cash in the large water bottle in the lobby.

  http://www.mountainpark.org/event/321475-2012-05-20-2012-food-and-water-drive/

H.O.P.E. Groups


H.O.P.E. stands for Helping Overcome Painful Experiences and the H.O.P.E. groups at Mountain Park are designed for that purpose. Our men's & women's H.O.P.E. groups meet regularly and provide a safe environment to begin to work through life's difficult times


http://www.mountainpark.org/mountain-park-hope-groups/


"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28 Lord, please continue to help me choosedaily and constantly to seek and do Your will and not follow my own selfish self will, AMEN. "... saying to ourselves many times each day “Thy will be done.” We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions." Big Book pg 88 Have a blessed week y'all!  HOPE... Need some? ... Got some to give ??? 

 Its heating up...Care to share and help us help others with our Bottled Water/Food Pantry Drive? 


 Help restock Mountain Park's Food Pantry and the Phoenix Rescue Mission Hope Coach. Together, these two groups provide hundreds of food boxes and thousands of bottles of water to needy families or homeless individuals in our community. Just bring your non-perishable food items and cases of water to church anytime between Sunday, May 20th, and Sunday, May 27th, and drop them off in the lobby


 http://mountainpark.org/mountain-park-news-blog/may-reach-events/


“For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1Samuel 16:7  Lord help me to continue to see, know, and understand others  through their hearts and not their outward appearances, AMEN  "Here was something at work in a human heart which had done the impossible." Big Book pg 11 


Have a blessed day y'all! 

"Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6,7  Lord thank you for your peace, grace, and love, Amen.  "We earnestly pray for the right ideal, for guidance in each questionable situation, for sanity, and for the strength to do the right thing." Big Book pg 70 Have a blessed week y'all!  


H.O.P.E. stands for Helping Overcome Painful Experiences and the H.O.P.E. groups at Mountain Park are designed for that purpose. Our men's & women's H.O.P.E. groups meet regularly and provide a safe environment to begin to work through life's difficult times.


http://www.mountainpark.org/mountain-park-hope-groups/

"...my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be  and do not be afraid.” John 14:27  Lord, please keep me reminded that seeking Your will gives me the peace from worldly clamors and blocks the fears created by my self will, Amen.  "as we enjoyed peace of mind,...as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter." Big Book pg 63 Have a blessed day y'all!  Can you help?? 

In our community there are many struggling families. Our food pantry, supported totally by you, gives out  two to four food boxes every week; each box contains enough food for three to four meals.

We run short of many items; currently we are out of mayonnaise, tuna,jelly, and canned fruit.

If you would like to donate these items or any other items that we stockin our pantry, you can drop them off on Sunday mornings at the Food Pantry sign at the entrance to the church, or at the office any time during the week.   

http://www.mountainpark.org/mountain-park-news-blog/food-pantry/

Dedicated to a friend of ours and her family as they face a challenge..."but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5 Lord  please supply us the faith, courage, and guidance to overcome the fears from  life's challenges, Your will not ours, AMEN.  "We trust infinite God rather than our finite selves. We are in the world to play the role He assigns. Just to the extent that we do as we think He would have us, and humbly rely on Him, does He enable us to match calamity with serenity. Big Book pg 68 Have a blessed day y'all please know God can handle ANYTHING we are facing! http://www.mountainpark.org/ministries/family/

Mountain Park News Blog :: H.O.P.E. Groups for Men and Women

Mountain Park News Blog :: H.O.P.E. Groups for Men and Women:
"Encourage one another and build each other up,..."1 Thessalonians 5:11  Lord please keep the eyes of my heart looking for the good in others and Your blessings in all things, AMEN.  "When I focus on what's good today, I have a good day, and when I focus on what's bad, I have a bad day. " Big Book pg 417 or 449  Have a blessed day  y'all!   http://mountainpark.org/mountain-park-news-blog/hope-groups-for-men-and-women/day

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HOPE for Men and HOPE for Women meet every Tuesday night at 6:30 pm. These groups come together in community for support and encouragement in developing a healthy way of working through many of life’s difficulties. Both groups use "The 12 Steps: A Spiritual Journey" as their guide, but you are not required to be a Christian to attend a HOPE group.

When I am in fear, I am blocking my faith

When I am in fear, I am blocking my faith....‎"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 Thank you Lord for allowing my faith in You to quiet the fear and overpower any weakness in me, AMEN.  "as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter." Big Book pg 63 Have blessed day y'all!CASS feed this Sunday, come help us help others! http://mountainpark.org/mountain-park-news-blog/may-reach-events/

Mountain Park News Blog :: May REACH Events:

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CASS Homeless Shelter Dinner

MAY 6 - Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) provides shelter, meals, counseling, job skills and addiction recovery for homeless individuals. MPCC volunteers work together to prepare and serve meals every six weeks and lead a recovery group. For additional information or to get involved, click here.

Mountain Park News Blog :: May REACH Events

Mountain Park News Blog :: May REACH Events:

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Our monthly REACH events give you the opportunity to get in the game and cultivate a heart of compassion towards others. Each REACH event is fully volunteer staffed and provides a place for you to have deep impact in others' lives.

Keep reading below to find an opportunity that interests you.

CASS Homeless Shelter Dinner

MAY 6 - Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) provides shelter, meals, counseling, job skills and addiction recovery for homeless individuals. MPCC volunteers work together to prepare and serve meals every six weeks and lead a recovery group. For additional information or to get involved, click here.

Family Promise

May 13-20 - Family Promise connects church communities to families who are in transition. We provide hot meals and a safe place to sleep for families who are working hard to regain their independence. For additional information or to get involved, click here.

REACH Saturday

May 19 - From maintenance and cleaning projects to prepping and serving meals, these events allow us to work side-by-side to meet the needs of our community. To learn more and get involved, click here.

United Blood Services Drive

May 20 - Be a hero by donating blood to United Blood Services on Sunday May 20 from 8:30 am-12:30 pm. The UBS Bloodmobile will be in the MPCC parking lot all morning for your convienence. For additional information or to register, click here.

Bottled Water/Food Pantry Drive

May 20-27 - Help restock Mountain Park's Food Pantry and the Phoenix Rescue Mission Hope Coach. Together, these two groups provide hundreds of food boxes and thousands of bottles of water to needy families or homeless individuals in our community. Just bring your non-perishable food items and cases of water to church anytime between Sunday, May 20th, and Sunday, May 27th, and drop them off in the lobby. For questions, please contact Barb at bleclerc@mountainpark.org.

Mountain Park News Blog :: May REACH Events

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. " James 4:7  Lord I thank you for your grace, guidance, and love in helping me to continually seek Your will and avoid the lies and temptations of the devil, AMEN. "Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements." Big Book pg 13 Have a blessed week y'all! http://mountainpark.org/mountain-park-news-blog/may-reach-events/

Mountain Park News Blog :: May REACH Events:

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Food Pantry :: Mountain Park Community Church

Food Pantry :: Mountain Park Community Church:

Donate non-perishable food items to the Mountain Park Food Pantry all year long! You will find a list to the right of acceptable items but you may contact us at any time to find out what items we are running low on. You can drop off any donations throughout the week or on Sunday mornings near the donation sign.

Our Pantry provides food boxes to those individuals who are in need of non-perishable essential items. Each year we provide between 2-4 food boxes per week and yearly we  give out upwards of 200 boxes. Most families which request assistance are single parents with multiple children requring each food box to contain a significant amount of food.
Christmas, please contact us for more information.
http://mountainpark.org/ministries/care-support/food-pantry/

Food Pantry Item List

• Tuna
• Mayo
• Jelly
• Peanut Butter
• Canned Fruit
• Canned Vegetables
• Canned Soup
• Pasta
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Cereal
• Granola Bars

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Family Promise - May 2012 :: Mountain Park Community Church

For the week of May 13th-20th, Mountain Park is partnering with Family Promise to provide shelter to homeless families. The mission of the Family Promise initiative is to love and serve our neighbors by providing hot meals and a safe place to sleep, while they work hard to regain their housing, their independence, and their dignity. We need volunteers (that's where you come in) to prepare and serve the meals and also to make sure the families have what they need during their stay at MPCC. 

This serving opportunity is excellent for families and small groups. It could also be a great way to meet people if you're new to Mountain Park. 

Please use the link below to sign up to serve on a particular evening (open to anyone) or to stay overnight  (Adults only)

We need meal help for Wednesday and Saturday evenings.  We need overnight help for Sunday, Monday, and Thursday

Family Promise - May 2012 :: Mountain Park Community Church

Why do we call it Good Friday if that’s the day that Jesus died?

 What’s good about that? To be honest, even after I became a Christian, I didn’t really understand the significance of Good Friday. After I became thirsty for His truth and started to grow in my faith, through learning and daily study of God’s Word. I learned the significance of Good Friday, the actual day that Jesus was crucified, it became clear to me. Now, whenever I really think about it, my understanding is renewed, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Good Friday is good because that is the day that we celebrate and honor the fact that Jesus Christ chose to die for us. Celebrating Good Friday means you understand the importance of Christianity and what this day means to us believer and our faith.

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture He said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. (John 19:28-30)

Recognizing the importance of Good Friday, along with the celebration of Easter on Sunday, is a part of my faith.   It’s important to me that I be able to show and share the importance of this day to my family and others. This day says we cannot save ourselves. Without Christ’s selfless act, without His choosing to give His life, we would be living by the law, and not by grace. That’s the reason Christians put so much emphasis on Good Friday and Easter as such  important holidays. It is a large part of the “why” behind the celebration of our salvation.

“Good Friday is the mirror held up by Jesus so that we can see ourselves in all our stark reality, and then it turns us to that cross and to His eyes and we hear these words, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” That’s us! And so we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. We see in that cross a love so amazing, so divine, that it loves us even when we turn away from it, or spurn it, or crucify it. There is no faith in Jesus without understanding that on the cross we see into the heart of God and find it filled with mercy for the sinner–whoever he or she may be.” Robert G. Trache

Please join me in celebrating Good Friday and may you and your loved ones enjoy this Easter time and receive God’s grace and blessings.   http://mountainpark.org/event/2012-04-05-stations-of-the-cross/

"Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you and keep you--until then." Big Book Pg 164

SE Valley churches step up to house, feed homeless families

SE Valley churches step up to house, feed homeless families:

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St. Francis Prayer

This is a great self check and reality check for me!

THE PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace,

that where there is hatred, I may bring love;

that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;

that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;

that where there is error, I may bring truth;

that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;

that where there is despair, I may bring hope;

that where there are shadows, I may bring light;

that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.

Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted;

to understand, than to be understood;

to love, than to be loved.

For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.

It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.

It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.

Don't Hope, Friend...Decide!
Dear friends,
After I read this story by Michael D. Hargrove, I looked in the mirror….

“While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life changing experiences that you hear other people talk about. You know, the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly? Well, this one occurred a mere two feet away from me!

Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jetway, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.

First, he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, and movingly loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other's face, I heard the father say, "It's so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!" His son smiled somewhat shyly, diverted his eyes, and replied softly, "Me too, Dad!"

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe 9 or 10) and while cupping his son's face in his hands he said, "You're already quite the young man. I love you very much Zach!" They too hugged a most loving, tender hug. His son said nothing. No reply was necessary.

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one and a half) was squirming excitedly in her mother's arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, "Hi babygirl!" as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder and remained motionless in total pure contentment.

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, "I've saved the best for last!" and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed, "I love you so much!" They stared into each other's eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands. For an instant, they reminded me of newlyweds but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn't be. 

I puzzled about it for a moment, then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm's length away from me. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I were invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, "Wow! How long have you two been married?"

"Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those," he replied without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife's face. "Well then, how long have you been away?" I asked. The man finally looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile and told me, "Two whole days!"

Two days?! I was stunned! I was certain by the intensity of the greeting I just witnessed that he'd been gone for at least several weeks, if not months, and I know my expression betrayed me. So I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), "I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!"

The man suddenly stopped smiling. He looked me straight in the eye, and with an intensity that burned right into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, "Don't hope friend...decide." Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, "God bless!" With that, he and his family turned and energetically strode away together.

I was still watching that exceptional man and his special family walk just out of sight when my friend came up to me and asked, "What'cha looking at?" Without hesitating, and with a curious sense of certainty, I replied, "My future!"

Michael D. Hargrove

© Copyright 1997 by Michael D. Hargrove Visit Michael's website at: www.bluinc.com