Newsletter 1st Quarter 2019 Ready or Not
Here He Comes!
“Therefore
be very careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise, taking
advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this
reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the
Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is
debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit...” Ephesians
5:15-18
Are
you ready? I want to be ready - whether it is sooner or later, near
or far. I saw a bumper sticker several years ago while waiting for a
red light to turn. The cynicism was clearly obvious. It stated, “Look
busy. Jesus is coming.” Hmm... I wondered who would be compelled to
advertise such a mockery. Perhaps
a burnt out Martha? Maybe a cynical pastor who couldn't get the flock
to be engaged in meaningful ministry opportunities? Or maybe an
unbelieving spouse who felt neglected? Whatever the season or hour, I
want to be ready. I don't want to just look busy. I want to be busy
doing His work. That means I need to lean in and listen! I don't want
to be intoxicated with this world system but rather filled with His
Spirit, understanding what His will is for this hour. Bee Busy! This
is clearly my favorite time of year. The spring feasts of Passover,
Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits are amazing reminders of our
sacrificial lamb, Yeshua, who died and rose so that we could enter a
new life of fruitfulness for His kingdom. Not just busy - but
fruitful. The buzzing bees on my grapefruit blossoms remind me that
production is clearly underway. I love how the colonies work
together. Unfortunately,
in the body, we sometimes have too many queen bees. We are very
grateful that the Lord has raised up so many busy bees at Jesus Cares
Ministries who are working for the benefit of the Master! We
would like to share with our supporters some past events and upcoming
opportunities that are buzzing our way: “Busy
Bee” Linda
Free Store
– The winter holiday time brought a fabulous opportunity to
join with other ministries and provide clothing and essentials to
women and families in need. It was a great way to close out 2018.
Many who were invited received blessings that invoked tears of
gratitude as they realized how much the Lord cares for specific
details of their lives. Our amazing supporters were responsible for
an abundance of donations. (I felt like Moses and the
collection of building materials for the tabernacle – no more!)
Jackie Chamberlain was overseeing this outreach and she, along with
her assistant, Linda Abell took the reins of this operation with
great skill and expertise. The displays were beautiful and it touched
many hearts in ways we do not have time to recount here! Many thanks
to the many and varied busy bees who volunteered time and provided
specific services for these families. Opportunities for individual
ministry arose quite frequently during this event. The Lord yielded
more than just beautiful dressed women, teens and children; some of
them were also adorned with a greater measure of His love and grace.
Tom
and a generous volunteer - Sarah
Full house – We had
some temporary visitors grace our home at the beginning of the year
and it was such a joy to hear the “buzzing” of voices and life
that comes along with showing hospitality. One such visitor was
Loredana from Romania. She was connected with us through Isabella
from Elpis ministry. (This is a ministry that Jesus Cares Ministries
helped launch in 2017.) We invited her to stay on after she and
Isabella came to connect for a brief respite right after the first of
the year. Loredana enjoyed the opportunity to grow in strength as she
soaked up like a sponge all the learning experiences that surrounded
her at Jesus Cares Ministries. She assisted us in practical and
spiritual ways as she came alongside of a temporary resident we were
housing. It was so hard to say goodbye as March was approaching.
Along with productive times of prayer and Bible study, we also
enjoyed moments of refreshment in the presence of the Lord through
praise and worship. Loredana enjoyed playing the guitar and singing.
We spoke about the empty nest in our last newsletter. It was as if my
children were back in the home again! Two of my children loved to
sing and play guitar and it was so fun to have that sweet enjoyment
again. She is back in Romania now and praying about where the Lord
would have her to be at this time in her life. The relationships
developed here and the families with whom she connected while here,
including our own brood, greatly encouraged her heart. E.Q.U.I.P.
- This is an acronym for excel, qualify, understand, instruct, and
prepare. We have been working on a training opportunity that would
equip the body to work and serve together to bring maturity. Our hope
is to keep individuals from being tossed to and fro in this hour.
Again, we can refer to the bees for this project! They work so well
together and each one knows what part they have to contribute to keep
things in order. Many pastors and leaders are exhausted. There must
be a better way to do ministry. After over 35 years of ministry, we
have seen the devastation of too many ministry leaders who
experienced burn out or disappointments, and the effect that it had
on their children's lives. We are not meant to just survive but to
thrive. We held a conference in March for the women who are on our
training team and invited others who are interested in ministry as
well. It was an amazing time of connecting, not just with each other,
but with God's heart for the broken. We need to reach the broken and
wounded and we don't always know how to do that well. The weekend
left us a little more equipped and a little more confident in our
callings. The foundation text for the weekend was II Peter 1:1-11.
Take some time to consider your calling. “Therefore,
brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling
and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin.”
- II Peter 1:10
Mother's
Day Luncheon –
As many of you know, we love to come alongside those who are reaching
out into the community. The Lord has called us to honor others in
their work and offer support and encouragement to the many-membered
body. Ministry is not for sissies! We need each other. May Dobbins
is the founder of Single Moms That Rock. She was with
us many years ago as a 15 year old unwed mother. She knows firsthand
the difficulties of navigating single motherhood and her ministry is
reaching out to those that need a hand up! She is married and serving
in a local fellowship with her husband and pastor, Preston. We
are delighted to join with her as she presents a Mother's Day
Luncheon for single moms in the community. Saturday, May 11th
from 11:30am – 2pm. Lunch and childcare will be provided. They
will be encouraging hearts with an uplifting message. If you or
someone you know is a single mom who would like to attend, please
registerat: singlemomsthatrock.com/events (Space is
limited.) Freedom
House Hope
for Addiction, founded by Liz Beck, is a
beautiful, bustling ministry sharing a message of freedom along with
practical and spiritual mentoring to those formerly bound in
addiction. After years of crying out to God for a home for their
women clients, they have finally seen that vision come to fruition.
Jesus Cares Ministries is partnering with them to provide Children:
Our Heritage. Three members of our team will be offering our
parenting course along with some extended services to the women
housed at Freedom House. We began our training in
April. The
Property in Cherry, Arizona
Work day at
Cherry, Arizona – Betty and Bud Miller are
seasoned ministers of the gospel that co-founded Christ
Unlimited Ministries (bibleresources.org). Their heart is to
finish well and reach this generation through podcast teachings that
cover topics such as suicide, fornication, prayer, how to study the
bible, and more.
Many individuals have
come to their website and found freedom from completing suicide
because of the information they gleaned. They have property in
Cherry, Arizona with a chapel and some small cabins. Bud and Betty
have used this facility to bring restoration into the lives of those
that they have served over the years. Their vision for seeing lives
renewed and refreshed is similar to the vision of Jesus Cares. We
would love to see this place renovated and up and running for His
kingdom again! It is a beautiful place to hold small group retreats
but it needs some TLC. Betty will be organizing a work day and
if you have a heart to see this ministry blessed and useful for His
glory, come and get your hands dirty. The work day is Memorial Day,
May 27th. We will culminate the day in worship and prayer! Call if
you are interested in offering services or materials of any kind.
Painting, flooring, cleaning, and yard work are just some of what is
needed to help this beautiful resource become available to the body
of Christ on a continual basis. Any busy bees willing to do some hard
work? Contact Doreen @ 480 831 1737  Duane
& Adrienne Wilson and Family
Weekly Rehab Outreaches - As
individuals go through rehab, they need some encouragement and
strength for the journey. Duane Wilson is pastoring the flock
at The Center at Val Vista every Sunday at 10 am.
Jackie and Jeff Chamberlain are pastoring at Wellspring
Therapy Center right down the street at 10:30am along with our assistant, Linda. Jeff Jackie and Linda at Wellsprings What a joy to see what God is doing spiritually to
rejuvenate and provide spiritual therapy for the weary through these
amazing servants each week. If you are interested in helping please
contact us @ 480 831 1737. There is plenty of ministry opportunities
to go around.
In
Closing: Please remember, as we see all the beauty
and new life of spring time, that His death and resurrection provided
a way for us to be useful and fruitful for Him! Like the wise
virgins, get ready for His return. Don't just look busy. Find
out where He is working around you and join Him! Pray for us as we
enter into this busy springtime season. We are anticipating new life
and fruit that will remain for His glory!
Thank
you for all you do to partner with us as we fulfill His call to
rebuild, repair, and restore (Isaiah 58:12). Because of your
faithfulness we can be busy for the King and let the community
around us know that...
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