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It’s amazing what a coat of paint can do to change our outlook on something. With a coat of paint a building can change from looking old & abandoned to and clean and welcoming place. What’s interesting is that the welcoming place was always there. It was just hidden behind the dirt and wear.
People are the same way. Life is hard and beats us down. When you’ve been down for a long time, it’s really hard — sometimes even impossible — to get up by yourself. That’s why Christ sent His church. Love, kindness, and fellowship can bring a smile to a worn face. And, a smile can change the whole body.
In the last several months, we’ve provided hundreds of dollars in wages, completed dozens of hour of work, and served churches with our labor. But, most importantly, we’ve made friends. We’ve brought smiles.
With your support, we’ve provided jobs to people who need them. Because of our work together, a brother in Christ now sleeps in an apartment instead of a tent.
On the outside it might look like a worn down church, mostly empty, with a few tired souls praying from an old book. It might look like a priest in a parking lot clearing brush with someone you might avoid on the sidewalk. But, if you look more closely, God is doing a mighty work. We’d love for you to join us on Wednesday nights and see what God’s doing. It might not look like much, but I promise you’ll leave with a smile. A new coat of paint can brighten the world. God’s light penetrates and brightens even the darkest places.
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🔊 Finding Hope in a World of Disappointment
With the assurance of God’s eternal love and grace, we are empowered to venture forth into the world, emanating His light and spreading the message of His resurrection. As bearers of His eternal kingdom, we carry within us the essence of His divine presence, allowing us to face adversities with resilience and faith. Let us embrace the truth that God’s love redeems us, giving us the courage to confront challenges with heads held high and hearts full of His everlasting peace.
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Our works should flow so directly from the action of Jesus Christ in us that Christ’s action illuminates our works for the world.
– Jacques Ellul, Presence in the Modern World
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🔊 Be Not Ashamed
Exploring the challenges of upholding Christian faith in a city like Nashville, Michael+ reflects on St. Peter’s boldness in proclaiming the gospel amidst societal pressures. St. Peter’s example inspires us to speak truth unapologetically, mirroring his courage in spreading the message of salvation. Emphasizing the power of love and conviction in sharing Christian beliefs, Michael+ discusses the liberating impact of openly expressing faith in diverse settings. By embracing authenticity and allowing God’s truth to guide our words, we become catalysts for transformation and instruments of His love, advancing His kingdom through unwavering faith and unwavering proclamation.
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🔊 Lemonade: A False Hope
Today, we explored the analogy of making lemonade from life’s lemons. Michael+ emphasized the complexity of challenges we face, suggesting that relying solely on ourselves is insufficient. We discussed the importance of community and dependence, finding salvation and support through Jesus and His church. Ultimately, God’s grace and the graces offered through His church are the only path to freedom and reassurance, reminding us that we are never alone in facing life’s obstacles.
