Snow

It has been snowing all day today this Saturday. Yeah or nay? Honestly there is so much snow I kind of freak out thinking about how difficult it will be to use the snowblower tomorrow morning. Anyway, it's all in the Lord's hands.

Trip to the Bank

I have long since forsaken what I might consider risky behavior here in Newark, in that where wisdom seems obvious in maintaining my safety, but it appears even now that when we are trusting the Lord and being led by Him, what are ordinarily lines considered black and white seem to vanish. I am not speaking of morality but what might define us traditionally, for example the reason I am writing this, which had me giggling that it actually worked.

Low in my checking account, I know no one else experiences this, I wanted to make a cash deposit for peace of mind, and being that Newark is my home, I knew of only two ATM's not too far but only one has a drive through. Being that it is night, I was inclined to go to the one with the drive through which is a little bit farther than the one without one.

I make my trip to find that all the ATM's at the bank are not taking cash deposits and so I'm left having to choose another bank. Leaving my phone at home so as not to risk losing it in a potential robbery, I know I can be super cautious sometimes, I am left without tech to find the closest branch.

However, I then ask the Lord to lead me and soon find myself inclined to follow a few blinkers. I know, this is not ordinary behavior but I believe in my God, that He can use such "signs" if he so desires. Well I tell after a short little drive I was led to a new ATM, one that I have never seen before and one I would not have found had I not been inclined to follow certain blinkers. It was actually extremely efficient. One catch though, I was still in Newark and this was an ATM on the street all exposed. When I first saw the ATM I kind of danced in my heart, but then I soon found myself uttering the words, "You want me to do what Lord?" Haha.

I scout out the location as I am at a light ready to turn and decide, I can do this, just to the ATM and back. Pulling up to the curb relatively close to the ATM I jump out looking as tough as I can and make a deposit attempt at the first ATM. Cash deposits currently not accepted.

What?! You have got to be kidding me! Lord???

Second ATM, success.

I breath a sign of relief as I take off in my car, and as I said before, giggling over what all just happened.

Whoever said it wasn't fun to serve the Lord?

The Zebra Church

I have been wrestling with what to do with this pic and finally decided it should stand here. Several years back when Bishop Clarice Fluitt first began visiting our church, she reported back to hers that our church could be known as the "Zebra Church." It's complicated, perhaps a long story, so I won't jump into the reasoning, but one more particular observation you might note is the Menorah. I'd say this pretty much sums up our church at the moment, for even yesterday in our Sunday service we lit the candles for the first day/night of Hanukkah.

Newark Schools Christmas Outreach

It has begun, the Newark schools Christmas outreach, and though the Mission is not involved directly with this school (Hawthorn Ave.), every year I am sent here to fetch dozens and dozens of cupcakes that we will distribute. Therefore, in my mind this is always the beginning of Christmas festivities, the jolliest time of year. Blessing!

Newark 2

Hello she whispers, I want to play. Newark wants to play but the ground is upset by the violence. Say not a bad word about the Brick City, I can hear someone saying, but if we are honest, we can hear the pain of innocence targeted. Who shall speak for the voiceless? I shall, for their voice cries out for justice and I can not be silent. I will not be silent. I shall speak for the voiceless, they whom violence has silenced. They want to be heard—there is hope though, and it is found in Jesus. He died so we could live. Justice can be found by all who embrace the King of kings: He will respond.

Newark

Wild, crazy, a city on edge:

This is the city I know.

Dancing, singing, ignoring the ledge;

Go, low, foe, they all rhyme with know,

But to force a rhyme

Stymies the flow.

Not In Our Town

For service today we watched this documentary that came out of Billings, Montana:

Where did we come up with this and why? Well on Tuesday for Sitting at the Feet of Jesus, Pastor Tilly read The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate and afterward realizing it was based on a true story, someone dug deeper and found the above video. There is power in unity, strength, and even a blessing:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Psalm 133

Blessings, blessings, blessings!!!