I can't...HE can(and does!)... I think I will let HIM

    21 years ago today I finally took the  first 3 steps  that saved my life…I finally admitted that …I can’t,… He can, (AND DOES!)… Thanks God for letting me! 21 years of blessed sobriety.  “You will lose the old life to find one much better.” Big Book pg 120 “everything   connected with that old way of life has to go. And then take on an entirely new way of life a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” Ephesians 4:22-24 Thank you God, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Salvation Army for showing me a new freedom and way of living based upon a spiritual tool kit freely given.

   21 years ago I was a broken man, addicted to methamphetamines and hopelessly alcoholic. In jail again for my 12^th DUI I was to be sent to prison.  I was 30 years old and had estranged everyone from me in my life. As I stared into the piece of tin that serves as a jail house mirror I suddenly realized that I no longer knew this person staring back at me. I got on my knees, and said the only prayer I could at the time, “God help me.”

     Things began to change immediately. My cellmate kept inviting me to the AA meetings and until that day I never wanted to attend.  The meeting started with a very short man who was not in jail jumping up on a table and shouting, “If you guys keep on doing what you are doing, you will keep getting what you are getting!” It was the shortest AA meeting I have ever attended because that was all I heard. I began reading the AA Big Book, and attending the meetings along with the Christian Overcomers Outreach program.

     After a few weeks, I went for my prison sentencing, but my Public Defender did not show up. 2 weeks later I went again to be sentenced and the Prosecutor did not show up. It would be 6 more weeks in the jail before I would be sentenced to prison. I stayed active in AA and in the Christian fellowship Overcomers Outreach . When I finally went to court to be sentenced, there was a different judge on the bench and he shared a letter that was written on my behalf by an anonymous member of AA telling him I was changing and asking him to give me a chance at a rehab program instead of prison. The judge stopped the sentencing and asked me if I would like to spend 6 months at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Sacramento. I knew that God had heard my cry for help and that I needed to keep following Him!

     I willingly went to the Salvation Army. They loved me until I could learn to love myself. I threw myself into learning about God and became active in AA and in serving the homeless and addicted. I entered their Adjutant Program and earned my Pastoral certificate. I was awarded a scholarship to go back to college and got my Human Services as well as my CADC counseling certificates for drugs and alcohol.  I began running the Phase 1 recovery programs for Salvation Army and helped to manage the homeless shelter.

        Through my quest for lasting sobriety in AA I met my beautiful angel Tami, who allowed this strange man with a pony tail who worked at the homeless shelter and rode a bicycle to fall in love with her and eventually marry her. God gave us His gift in Kai 14 years ago. We have traveled this journey together now for 18 years and have had ups and downs like we all do, but NO MATTER WHAT we have loved God and one another without a drink or a drug.

     For the past 21 years I have lived one day at a time looking to serve and help. God saved me from alcoholism and addiction and taught me to be free through serving others.  

     I believe in and truly try to live what the Bible promises that it is through giving to others that we receive. God has given me more than I ever deserved. The Big Book has taught me that Faith without works is dead. The least I can do is to try daily to pay Him back through serving others. Thanks to Mountain Park Community Church, I get the opportunity continue to grow and deepen my faith in Jesus as I help others daily! Thank you Jesus for saving me! Thank God for the Salvation Army and Alcoholics Anonymous!

Our season of HOPE, joy, and giving was hit hard yesterday by the senseless tragedy in Connecticut.  These folks have suffered one of the worst things that I can imagine. We may never know the how or why behind this massacre, but even if we learn this, the pain, loss, and suffering will still remain.  My social media feeds were full of comments and prayer requests yesterday. Even today, I can see this is still in our heavy hearts and troubled minds.  All I could do yesterday was hug Kai harder and hold her longer than normal and hug Tami more and remind her even more than I normally do of how much I love her.

Obviously we all are praying for the affected families, loved ones, and others in Connecticut. We even held a moment of silence and had prayer before we started our small group Christmas get together last night. 

Being the eternal optimist and self appointed  seeker of finding the good in all things despite the obvious hurt, anger, rage, and senseless loss of life from this heartbreaking tragedy yesterday, I have been quietly asking God to show me how He would have me respond. All I know to do is look to God and see what I can learn from the massacre in Newtown yesterday.

This is what God has laid on my heart. Perhaps it will help.  The word He gave me is relationships. “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1   “I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4

I vow to add this tragedy to the lesson I learned 4 years ago with the suicide of a coworker named Victor. I will continue to build, develop, and have familiar relationships with those who touch the lives of myself, my family, and those I serve spiritually.

I take from this tragedy a renewed willingness and effort to KNOW the environments and people that are around my loved ones daily. I need to take the responsibility to continue with a renewed spirit to instill values in my own home of respect, honor, and love. I will continue to keep open communications with my family, friends, and those I serve. I know that I cannot know every detail of everyone’s life around me, but I CAN take it upon myself to make sure I am aware of the presence and spirit of those I come in contact with there are no quiet ones isolating in the crowd and no strangers having easy access to those I love and serve. 

I know I cannot change the world, and I know I cannot take away the pain and suffering that Newtown Connecticut folks are enduring, but I can take this and turn it into a lesson to learn from and keep my heart humbly focused on God’s promises of grace and love.

God bless us and keep us all.

What a blessing to see an Ahwatukee family get back on their feet and become successful again! Thank you Family Promise, Mark Taylor Properties, and our beloved Mountain Park Community Church for making this happen! We were blessed to be invited to witness Family Promise and Mark Taylor Properties award a free apartment home for a year to Family Promise graduate Tia and her family. Tami and her Mountain Park Community Church volunteer team worked all day and night yesterday filling the home with furniture, furnishings, and such. Shell was with her the whole day! Channel 12 News filmed this, Please take a look! Thanks God!!! Let the blessings roll!

http://www.azcentral.com/video/#/News/A+former+homeless+family+will+soon+settle+in+a+rent%2Dfree+apartment/40280768001/35150280001/1982209632001

Channel 12 News Video of Family Promise Gift

Pastor Natividad is looking to see if anyone wants to get involved with FGTJ as they sponsor a few family meals for Thanksgiving. You and or your family, friends, or small groups can accompany Natividad and his FGTJ team as they go to these families homes and hand deliver them God’s blessing. The magic happens by staying and visiting with the families a short while just so that they can really feel the love of our Lord. It has always been a highlight for the season as some of the families really try to include you in their lives.  Food / Meal sponsors and helpers that are willing to go the extra mile over the last week before Thanksgiving are welcomed and needed. They already have 15 turkeys for 15 families. If anyone wants to participate please contact Pastor Natividad, or if you know of a family we can bless let him know.

Let the blessings roll!

Pastor Natividad M. Mendoza

Executive Director

From Gangs to Jobs

602 384 0340

natividad@fromgangs2jobs.com

www.fromgangs2jobs.com

This November and December you have several opportunities to partner with incredible organizations to extend generosity to those in Arizona as well as around the world. Read below to learn more about each opportunity.

Angel Tree

Mountain Park has been partnering with Angel Tree for over a decade, bringing gifts to hundreds of children who have a mom or dad currently in prison. Angel Tree offers us the opportunity to provide gifts for these children on behalf of their incarcerated parents. It is the perfect opportunity to help a child strengthen their relationship with their parent.

On November 18, 25 and December 2 you can pick up an Angel Tree gift tag from the Mountain Park lobby. Please return your purchased gifts to Mountain Park by December 16. In addition, you can also volunteer to deliver gifts (the best part of Angel Tree) by Christmas Eve.

Contact Barb, bleclerc@mountainpark.org, with questions.

Operation Christmas Child

Join Samaritan's Purse in the pursuit of reaching impoverished children all over the world with the Gospel of Jesus through a simple shoe box. Though it is just a shoe box filled with gifts, when a child opens up one of these gifts it becomes so much more. It becomes a simple yet powerful message of God's unconditional love and brings life-changing opportunities for the child as well as the entire community.

On October 21, 28 and November 4 you can visit the Shoe Box table at Mountain Park to learn more about how you can contribute to this worthwhile cause. Return your shoe box/es on November 11 & 18 just outside the lobby. Our hope is to collect more than 400 boxes this year to reach 400 children!

Contact Beth, dbblythe@cox.net, with questions.

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Mountain Park has a strong history of working with local organizations to bring meals to families who otherwise would have nothing. This year we continue to work with Phoenix Rescue Mission to provide Thanksgiving Dinner to families from our local communities.

October 21, November 4 & 11 you can visit the table in the lobby to pick up a list of items needed to complete each meal as well as a box on November 4 in which to place the items. Return your filled food box by November 18 to ensure that it makes it to a family for Thanksgiving. 

This is a very simple, yet incredibly tangible way to extend the love of Christ during one of our country's most beloved holidays.

Contact Barb, bleclerc@mountainpark.org, with questions.

Presents: AHWATUKEE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER EVENT Saturday, October 27, 2012 9 a.m. - Noon Mountain Park Community Church 2408 East Pecos Road Phoenix, AZ 85048 Schools, non-profits, service clubs and churches will gather at Mountain Park Community Church on Saturday, October 27th to showcase their service opportunities. If your group or student needs service hours, this is the event for you! If you have some extra time on your hands and want to make it count, please stop by and lend a hand to your community! If you have an organization that offers service opportunities, you can register for this free event by contacting the organizers at AhwKickOffEvent@yahoo.com. We look forward to seeing YOU there! “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller -

Mountain Park Community Church will be hosting the

Ahwatukee Community Volunteer Fair 

Saturday October 27 from 9 AM to Noon.

The church has a very active Local Outreach ministry partnering with local helping organizations 

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

Mountain Park Community Church is partnering with Ahwatukee’s own Connecting to Serve http://connectingtoserve.org/ to have around 40 nonprofit service organizations on hand that are located in Ahwatukee and the East Valley. 

This is a free and family friendly event where folks can learn about these amazing helping organizations and even plug in and get involved! This is an excellent opportunity for high school students (and their parents!) looking for service opportunities for their volunteer hours to look and learn to see what inspires or interests them.  If you have some extra time on your hands and want to make it count, please stop by and lend a hand to your community!

If you have an organization that offers service opportunities, you can register for this free event by contacting the Connecting to Serve organizers at AhwKickOffEvent@yahoo.com. 

We look forward to seeing YOU there!

AHWATUKEE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER FAIR

Saturday, October 27, 2012 9 a.m. - Noon

Mountain Park Community Church

2408 East Pecos Road

Phoenix, AZ 85048

Mountain Park Community Church will be hosting the

Ahwatukee Community Volunteer Fair 

Saturday October 27 from 9 AM to Noon.

The church has a very active Local Outreach ministry partnering with local helping organizations 

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

Mountain Park Community Church is partnering with Ahwatukee’s own Connecting to Serve http://connectingtoserve.org/ to have around 40 nonprofit service organizations on hand that are located in Ahwatukee and the East Valley. 

This is a free and family friendly event where folks can learn about these amazing helping organizations and even plug in and get involved! This is an excellent opportunity for high school students (and their parents!) looking for service opportunities for their volunteer hours to look and learn to see what inspires or interests them.  If you have some extra time on your hands and want to make it count, please stop by and lend a hand to your community!

If you have an organization that offers service opportunities, you can register for this free event by contacting the Connecting to Serve organizers at AhwKickOffEvent@yahoo.com. 

We look forward to seeing YOU there!

AHWATUKEE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER FAIR

Saturday, October 27, 2012 9 a.m. - Noon

Mountain Park Community Church

2408 East Pecos Road

Phoenix, AZ 85048

The FASTEST and MOST FUNNEST 2 hours you will spend with friends and family helping pack for food kids in need! We need the most help with the 8 AM shift Saturday morning and with set up 6p to 8p Friday night. We have very few spots remaining for the other shifts. Please visit the link and register! 

C'mon y'all!  Let the Blessings Roll!

 http://www.mountainpark.org/event/353707-2012-09-29-feed-my-starving-children/

Tomorrow is not promised is one thing that I have learned and remembered from that fateful day 11 years ago. If only we could apply that line of thinking to other areas of our life. 

The truth I learned from the 9/11 tragedy is that the money, prestige,  nice cars, big homes, and all the material wants I was chasing are just not that important. I have come to understand, just like as the Apostle John came to understand, that serving God is much more important than honoring our own desires. “For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:16-17 

The World Trade Center tragedy has also helped me to understand that I have two citizenship's, one in this world and one in heaven.  The greater reality for me and my self centered will is that while I was trying to make that million and get those material things, I was neglecting God’s gifts to me in Tami and Kai. It took another “knock in the head” to finally get me to see the riches I have here are in my relationships with Jesus, Tami, and Kai. The more I build on them and grow them, the better my life had become.

Please reflect on our 911 tragedy as you see it remembered tomorrow and pray for those families who suffered losses.  My hope and prayer for you is that you can look at your life and see how your relationships with Jesus and your loved ones are doing.  God is in charge and has a plan for you. Look to Him and all will work out. My life has shown me this.

Happy Labor Day! 

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:58

Lord, I thank You for allowing me work serving You by helping others with my labor  which reflects Your grace, humility, and love, AMEN. 

“We had a new Employer. Being all powerful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well.” Big Book pg 63 

Have a blessed day y’all! We can use your help on Saturday September 29! Families and groups welcome! 

http://mountainpark.org/event/353707-2012-09-29-feed-my-starving-children/

Feed My Starving Children

Saturday, September 29, 2012, 7:45 AM - 5:30 PM

http://mountainpark.org/event/353707-2012-09-29-feed-my-starving-children/

Feed My Starving Children, a world-class hunger fighting organization, is coming to Mountain Park Saturday, September 29! Please choose from one of our four available shifts, and help package 100,000 meals for starving children around the world! Space is limited, so register today by clicking on the link below.

This is a fun event for families, youth and d.groups. Please note that volunteers must be at least 5-years-old, and children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All volunteers must wear long pants, shirts with sleeves and closed-toe shoes. If you are sick or have had fever 24 hours prior to your shift, please email Kristina Feltham immediately to cancel your reservation. Thank you for your cooperation!

We also need volunteers to help with set up on Friday evening and clean up on Saturday evening.

http://mountainpark.org/event/353707-2012-09-29-feed-my-starving-children/

Dear friends,
Thank you for allowing God to speak to your hearts this past week! We have a washer, dryer, and a stove for this family! Many have worked with Tim Berry and me to donate cash and gift cards to our MPCC Local Outreach fund specifying that it be used to help with clothing, groceries, and supplies for this family! We will continue to collect and deliver any donations that you feel lead to contribute. We have given this family hope and comfort during this scary time as they care for their grand children with their limited resources while they continue to work with the court and social services systems to gain full custody of these special kiddos! We know that God blesses those who bless others.  You love, prayers, and gifts are changing the lives of this family and showing them that we serve a loving and caring God! Thank you for allowing us to help this family in so many ways! Let these blessings keep rolling!

 “Jesus said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 Lord, thank You for the many blessings in my life that allow me to share Your grace and love with others,  AMEN.  "Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help." Big Book pg 84  Have a blessed week y'all!

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

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 Lord, thank You for the reminder that when I am helping others, You are best able to help me, AMEN! “The basis...is the truly Christian principle that a man cannot help himself except by helping others.” Big Book pg 572 / 574 Have a blessed day y’all! Can you help us help others? Kiddos need school supplies and Salvation Army needs help with NEW undergarments for men and women!!http://www.mountainpark.org/mountain-park-news-blog/salvation-army-essentials-drive/

“And the angel replied, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have not gone unnoticed by God!" Acts 10:4  Please pass the word, we are collecting toiletries, socks, and underwear for homeless men and women all thru August! Thanks for your donations to start the drives today! Let the blessings roll!

 http://mountainpark.org/mountain-park-news-blog/salvation-army-essentials-drive/

Through the month of August Mountain Park is hosting a personal care essentials drive to benefit the Salvation Army and the individuals they serve in the Phoenix area. 

We need all types of personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo/conditioner (in one), soap, combs, white tube socks and chapstick.

Salvation Army Essentials Drive

Through the month of August Mountain Park is hosting a personal care essentials drive to benefit the Salvation Army and the individuals they serve in the Phoenix area. 

We need all types of personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo/conditioner (in one), soap, combs, white tube socks and chapstick.

Starting Sunday, August 5, bring your gifts to the Mountain Park lobby and drop them off in the marked boxes.

For questions or additional information contact Barb,bleclerc@mountainpark.org.

Complete List

• 50 men's women's underwear - 25 lg, 25 med 
• 50 women's underwear - 25 lag, 25 med
• 100 Pairs white tube socks - 50 men's, 50 women's
• 100 wash cloths 
• 100 travel size tissues 
• 100 regular sized bottles of all-in-one shampoo/conditioner
• 100 bottles skin lotion
• 100 combs
• 100 regular size toothpastes
• 100 nail clippers
• 100 toothbrushes
• 100 small toothepaste tubes
• 1000 band aids - 10 per box
• 100 bar soaps
• 6 large boxes of powdered laundry detergent  ( it will be portioned out in small bags)
• 200 disposable razors 
• 100 chapsticks
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Shoeboxes to pack Essentials in

What's in your heart?..."But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Matthew 6:20-21  Lord, thank You for giving me Your grace, guidance and understanding that worldly things are not forever, but salvation is through seeking and doing Your will, AMEN.  "We thank God from the bottom of our heart that we know Him better." Big Book pg 75 Have a blessed day y'all!  Watch your blessings roll and please help us and help others!!


 http://mountainpark.org/mountain-park-news-blog/back-to-school-drive/


Please help us to help kids and families who for whatever reason, are not as blessed as we are right now! "Give, and it will be given to you. A good amount will be poured into your lap. It will be pressed down, shaken together, and running over. The same amount you give will be measured out to you." Luke 6:38 Let the blessings roll!  


http://mountainpark.org/mountain-park-news-blog/back-to-school-drive/

Surviving Cancer Support Group

NEW GROUP STARTING!!!! Wed. July 18

   

http://www.mountainpark.org/ministries/care-support/surviving-cancer-support-group/

This support group provides encouragement and hope for those battling and surviving cancer, their families and friends. Hosted by cancer survivor Dion Arseneau, this faith-based group incorporates God, the Bible, and spiritual growth through sharing cancer survival tools and information. Support persons share stories of victories and and progress. Meets every Wednesday from 6:30-8:00PM beginning July 18, 2012.

        "I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait patiently for the salvation of the Lord."  Lamentations 3:19-27

 “This self-insurance has resulted in the restoration of physical, mental and  spiritual health" Big Book pgs 572 / 574

        http://www.mountainpark.org/ministries/caresupport/surviving-cancer-support-group

I CAN'T, HE CAN, I think I will let HIM

"God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does.  We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade."  Romans 3:27-28  Lord, thank you for allowing me to learn to FOLLOW YOU and letting me turn my will and my life over to You, AMEN.  "We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day "Thy will be done."  Big Book pg 88 Have a blessed day y'all! Got HOPE? Wanna share HOPE? 

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

Mountain Park 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/

NO Jesus NO Peace.... KNOW JESUS KNOW PEACE!

NO Jesus...NO Peace....KNOW JESUS  KNOW PEACE!..." For I am certain that nothing can separate us from His love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future,  neither the world above nor the world below - there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 Lord, I thank you for the inspiration I gain daily from watching my heroes Sandy and Dion battle cancer  with their loved ones along side them with  fiercely faithful hearts and wearing the armour of God through thier unfailing, never waivering faith in You. Please heal Sandy and Dion in the name and precious blood of Jesus, AMEN.  "As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, 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!

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

Mountain Park is a community committed to loving God and loving others. We want to be a safe place for hurting people to come and experience recovery and healing. No matter where you are in your faith journey, you are welcome at Mountain Park to participate in any group to help guide you to a life of healing and restoration.


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

Faith without works is dead

Eat right and exercise your body, heart, and mind!..."For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. .. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. ..." 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 Lord, thank You for remaining faithful to me. Please continue to guard. my heart and keep my motives and efforts focused on seeking anf doing Your will, AMEN.  "In this book you read again and again that faith did for us what we could not do for ourselves." Big Book pg 70 Have a blessed day y'all! 
Can y'all PLEASE spare some water to help those without? 


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!