I want to adapt a quote from Jesus (from John, chapter 10) to show an important similarity that God allows us in our service to others, in His name. Particularly, in verses 15 through 18, Jesus makes statements showing His unity with His Father, and some of the powers available to Him. We have similar abilities with the choices available to us.

Jesus said, in verse 17, “Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.”

God loves us too, because we have “laid down our life” as baptized believers in Christ Jesus, now living to serve God.

Jesus further states, in verse 18, that “No man (can) take (my life) from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

Similarly, no man can make us serve or turn from serving God; but we can choose for ourselves. We have been given the power of free will, of making choices independently, whether to serve or not – and that power only comes from God.

We seek His will; He rightfully expects our worshipful service. Our service reveals our worship and desire to live for Him.

The point of this is that just as Spring always returns as part of God’s plan, we fit into God’s plan as well. But unlike Spring which has no choice but to obey, we who are created in the image of God can choose for ourselves.

Let the choices of our service and ministries before God, as fully as possible, be as steadfast as the assurance of every Spring and be as undeniably true as the completed resurrection of Jesus.

Onward!

• Plans to purchase a Detroit house as an am2m project are canceled; focus will be largely on assisting others with repairs to their own homes to make best use of project funds
• The next trip to Detroit will occur sometime in May-June; plans are for a 30-day minimum stay
• Significant funding for the Detroit trip has been assured
• New Habitat for Humanity locations will be contacted this winter RE service and participation
• A few new friendships may be developing that could assist in key outreach areas of Michigan
• A 3-4 week trip to Virginia has been added for the March-April time frame

The next update will probably be in early December. Until then, be sure to tell someone about Jesus!

There really isn’t much time left in this year, and good weather for traveling will soon be hit-or-miss. I want to make another trip to Michigan before year’s end for the purpose of settling on a specific area in which to establish a base for am2m. In consideration are two general areas within the greater Detroit region.

However, most choices at this point are based solely on the apparent idea that I will be continuing alone. If anyone thinks they may want to join in at any point or believes they may have recommendations to make, they need to communicate with me immediately.

Current plans are based upon the fact that the initially stated purpose of am2m is suffering not only from serious funding shortfalls but also a lack of other identifiable participation on the part of supporters.

So, should plans for near-term goals for am2m continue as currently viewed or should they be restructured to include expanded options? As your designated leader I am prepared for, and very comfortable with, all existing considerations.

I know that I write as to friends who already know many of the supportive Scripture references. Others should learn how to do the essential research themselves, and find a friend who wants to help.

Studying the Bible and seeking useful paths for our life is best made possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. The aid of a friend in Jesus, in our studies and in always looking for ways to be of better service to Him, is a benefit available from perhaps no other source. We are to urge each other forward in dedication and devotion.

Steel sharpens steel.

Another friend, who also lives farther away than I care to think of walking in a day, recently asked this question: “If you knew then what you know now, would you have known enough to be doing things differently now?” The follow up question is: “If so, are you making a difference yet?”

Some of us know there are things we ought to be doing, but we may resist the effort required to do them because “they’re farther away than we care to think of walking in a day” — that is to say, they aren’t really convenient for us or they require more than we may feel able to give or are otherwise prepared for yet.

Thankfully that wasn’t the mindset of Jesus and His disciples, or of the apostle Paul, or of ancient translators of the Bible or the early missionaries to China and the Far East. And it shouldn’t be what holds us back from doing virtually any thing that is good in Jesus’ Name for virtually any reason, either.

I am making a determined, conscious effort to resist those things that hold me back from doing more than what I have done before. It is time to take a step forward, out from the line of Christian conformity where I have stood until now.

Who represents the steel in your life, and whose life are you helping to shape by sharpening in the Word?

My understanding, from what Mr. Williams told me, is that strong winds caused high tension electrical wires to fall from neighborhood utility poles. Subsequent sparking from the downed lines ignited fires, which were whipped up by the winds. As the fires quickly moved along streets, more wires fell and the process repeated itself. Heavy rain and lightning accompanied the storm.

Local fire departments ultimately brought things under control, but not until many homes — some vacant and some occupied — had been impacted. This wasn’t something the economically hard hit city needed, but it definitely underscores the need for outside resources like our ministry to come to the Detroit area and help in giving aid and in efforts to re-build. There are literally untold numbers of opportunities for Christian witnessing and inspiration as well.

I know that we also have needs in our area. I know that everyone will say that their resources are already stretched to the extreme. I know that everyone believes they are already giving as much as they can to whatever it is that they are supporting.

You know that it still takes 100 pennies to make a dollar; and that dollars, like pennies, add up. In the name of Jesus, I ask you to please try to do a bit more wherever you can to help others with your finances or a gift of your time. Selah (pause, and consider these things).

But that’s why I value their input; they seek the leading of the Holy Spirit regularly, with the resulting and nearly word-for-word concensus of their (unshared) opinions as the proof. As to who they are, all but a few of them is someone I have long communicated with prior to am2m and sometimes depended upon for guidance in ministry. None of them live in New York.

But everyone’s thoughts are appreciated, though it would be nice to have a few comments from the folks closest to our Evans Mills/Calcium location. I know there are those who attend PMBC & CCC who follow this account of our efforts to serve Jesus in Michigan, but almost none of them has yet responded to a posting. That’s hard to believe. The only exceptions are the pastors of those two churches, and there have been good discussions of ideas with each of them.

Usually, those persons closest to a mission’s efforts — especially those who contribute regularly to it — will want to have the most to say about what and how things are done and how the mission advances. So I have a very important question to ask of those who attend PMBC and CCC and who contribute the primary dollars necessary for am2m to go onward : Are you willing to simply fund the am2m project and quietly trust in God for someone else to lead it?

That would indeed be refreshingly Biblical and proper, of course, but really is seldom seen in practice on our scale. But since funding is still forthcoming, and suggestions for implementing the mission are running along similar lines as to what and where, I must accept all of this as being Spirit led and that this project has the potential to become somewhat other than originally purposed. We need to think about that; your input will help to provide guidance.

Be assured that there is accurate accounting of funds received, and that all sums are reportable as charitable contributions if donated through Calcium Community Church.

But really, what do you think? I’d really like to know. Let me hear from the silent side this time. Please?

However, there were funds added to m2m’s account last week through Calcium Community Church. I hoped to make another trip before mid-autumn with at least a couple of group members and that may still be possible, though unlikely now in that time frame with our current resources.

I see this as a good time for a get-together of interested parties;  let’s see what results. If there is a time/date that works best for you, let me know ASAP and let’s review what has already occurred and see if we want to change any of our focus and/or larger time frames.

Have a great weekend and spread the really good news — there is a risen Savior!

-Len

Details of the Fischer Street house that almost became our first project are always publicly viewable at http://newsites.com/m2m with images and one-line previews of further stories to follow.

Sincerest thanks to friends who wrote to say they are sending $100 for m2m through Calcium Community Church. The value of your encouragement cannot be overestimated. Thank you.

I also learned today that some folks aren’t finding links on this blog to write to us: there is a link to leave a comment at the top of every post. If it doesn’t work for you, please email me at family@gospelword.org and let me know what browser and version number you are using. There may be a problem with some older systems. Maybe newer ones too; we’ll have to check to be sure.

And for the person who asked for simpler, shorter descriptions of the things written about, all I can say is that it is an occupational hazard. The sort of technical writing I normally do requires the most descriptive accuracy possible. Actually, I’ve been kind of relaxing with these postings and reports. Cruising, doncha know?

Thanks again to all. Wanna start planning another trip yet?

On that note, the first reports of the recent field trip to Michigan are now online at http://NewSites.com/m2m — notice the lowercase m-2-m after the slash. If you type in the address yourself and add spaces or capitalization you will void the link. Just click on the link as shown and it will work.

I need feedback on these pages quickly, folks. Let me know via email or phone (629-4800) QUICKLY if these pages, images and my work are helpful to you. I trust that there are some folks praying for our mission, and I can see the page hits increasing daily — but honestly, neither of these forms of invisible “communication” are helping me in ways that are required.

Without feedback I will assume there are just folks watching who have no real regard for this ministry. As the lead or point person on this project, I need your input. How about it?

Recent image of the Fischer Street house. It's almost too late to rescue it.

For us this means that nearly any time we can get there, they’ll have something available for us to do. I still need to contact the Detroit office about their winter plans to learn more about possibilities there. These options will enable us to be of service quickly and for minimal expense. Fuel for the recent visit was a bit under $300 round trip, with a full day of traveling around the greater Detroit area with side trips to Ann Arbor, Livonia and St. Clair Shores. I estimated 16+ mpg with A/C running for about half the trip.

I also asked her about the possibility of a local church providing space for us to camp on their grounds if possible; she will look into that. The big red Am2m Dodge maxivan has immense carrying capacity and could easily sleep 2-3 people comfortably — but some of us old guys prefer plenty of rollin’ and tossin’ room. Tents make sense.

-posted by Len