Christ-Centered Acts 1:8 Family

Sunday morning retuning:  So are you putting your minas to good use?  If you were present with us Sunday you heard some compelling reasons to do so.  To hear those reasons, and tap into other resources click here.  Jesus gave everything He had to us, we should offer nothing less in return.  “All that I am I place into Your loving hands, and I am Yours…”  Rooftops, Jesus Culture, see below.

One of the problems with large organizations is that they can easily lose sight of the compelling vision of a better future that instigated their beginning in the first place.  Denominations are no different.  The leadership of Christian and Missionary Alliance has been trying to remind us of those beginnings and call us forward into what God had in mind for our part of the Kingdom work.  This weekend will be for North-Mar Church an opportunity to embrace this call again.

Our President, John Stumbo, will be with us sharing this passion in a variety of settings.  I am sure that many of you are aware he will be with us Sunday morning and you are looking forward to those moments, or at least intrigued with curiosity regarding the new leader of our movement.  I want to strongly urge you to join us for one or both of the other two sessions, Saturday night at 6:30 pm where he will share about the Alliance family, and/or Sunday evening at 5 pm when he will answer the question “Why Does God Allow Human Suffering?” having been very well-acquainted with it himself.

I am imploring you to come because I have been listening to his monthly video blogs over these first 14 months his presidency.  I have routinely found myself not only challenged by his words, but greatly encouraged.  He has the heart of a shepherd and you will find yourself at each encounter desiring to enjoy the goodness of Jesus more and more, all the while helping others to do the same.

In his series of blogs he laid out a case for the Alliance thinking of ourselves as a “Christ-centered Acts 1:8 family”.  [Intrigued, watch that video blog here.] I love that.  It is clear, concise and compelling.  It captures who we are, and points us to what we want to become.  I am confident each session this weekend will leave you feeling the same way, so I want to encourage you again, come to more than Sunday this weekend.  I implore you.  You will be glad you did.

Jesus, make us into the people You want us to be individually, so we can be the people You want us to be collectively.  We will be satisfied with nothing less.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

The President’s Coming!

Sunday morning retuning:  So are you asking Jesus to open the eyes of your heart today?  Do not be like the disciples who refused to see, but instead like the blind man who did as Christ responded to his plea!  What is your plea?  Where/how do you need to see Jesus?  Ask Him to show Himself to you in that circumstance today!

“We do not need smaller problems.  We need a bigger view of God.”  President of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Rev. John Stumbo.

This was a line tucked into a powerful message from our President in his monthly video blog for September.  He raised our awareness to the magnitude of the problems our world is facing, and asked us about unique challenges in our lives.  He took us to Jeremiah to examine how God spoke to the prophet to encourage Him in his struggle.  It was a powerful word for licensed Alliance workers, but which I truly will resonate with anyone connected to an Alliance work.  If you are interested, you can view the video here.

I share this with you for a few reasons.  It will give you a glimpse into this man’s heart who will be our guest the first weekend of October.  If you have not yet considered reading one of his books for sale at church, it might encourage you to do so.  

It also helped to pull together a number of themes that have been swirling in my mind for the last week, primarily discipleship and calling.  Now before you dismiss the latter to those who are called to vocational ministry, let me define the first as it was described at the annual conference of the Central District last week.  Here are two to consider:  a disciple is a follower of Christ who displays the character and priorities of Christ, and disciple-making is the process of walking with another in their Christ-like formation in character and priorities.

I assume the former resonates with you, and I pray the latter will as well.  I believe you want to follow one step behind Jesus, and that means displaying the character and priorities of Jesus, though that is not easy.  If you are willing to embrace that, then there is a logical next step.  You could sum up Jesus priorities in a number of ways, but let’s think in terms of Great Commandment [Matthew 22:37-40]  and Great Commission [Matthew 28:19-20] as we have dubbed them.  Love God and love others is a simplification of the first, and make disciples, the latter.  This is the calling of every Christ follower.

I was challenged by these definitions.  I want to be a disciple, but that implies that I will be making other disciples.  What does that look like?  It means simply helping others follow Jesus, even while I am still learning to do the same.  There are some ahead of me who I am following, and others behind who are looking to me.  It also, means I am even leading myself well.  I want to be making disciples, who are making disciples, so let’s encourage each other in this pursuit by answering a couple questions.

Who are you following?  I hope you answer Jesus, but who is in your life who you look to to help you walk through the process of becoming more like Jesus.  If you can not name someone, I want to encourage you to do so soon.  On the other hand, who is following you.  Who have you come alongside and said essentially, follow me as I follow Christ?  If you can not answer that one either, I want to encourage you again. Identify someone and do it.

I know we are all busy, but I want to encourage you to be more like Jesus tomorrow than today, and I really believe this is a part of how we partner with the Holy Spirit to make that happen.  If you are overwhelmed by this call, then watch John’s video above and be encouraged.  

Jesus, you have called us not only to be disciples, but to make them!  This is a huge responsibility, but whom You call, you equip. Fill us with Your Spirit, and use us for your glory.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

God’s Stories

Sunday morning retuning:  God has put some things in motion for us, since the foundations of the earth.  We who are His masterpieces, His handiwork, His craftsmanship.  Are you embracing the fullness of what God has in store for you.  Hopefully Sunday’s message and Adreanne Zeleny’s thoughts below will help you move along in that great journey.  [Thanks for being our guest contributor this week.]

Writing has always been a profound aspect of my creative life. I can recall writing and illustrating stories from the time I could spell proficiently, with the help of a dictionary close by (the days before Google!). I loved creating characters and bringing them to life through words and art. My stories involved anything from friendship to romance, and my characters were always different from story to story. After many years of writing stories, I began thinking of the possibility of writing a book. I learned that writing a book is much different than the short stories I was writing. Books need structure, organization, chapters, and most of all, a moral and a purpose. Then I began reading more obscure books to get more influence for the type of book I wanted to write. Some of the books did not even contain chapters! Others had chapters, but numbered them using prime numbers. These books came across as disorganized yet intriguing. If we think of our lives as being like a book, we can admit that our books are messy. We can admit the chapters are numbered funky and the whole book is disorganized. We can also admit that our book is downright confusing at times. But who would write such a muddled and messy type of a book?! The answer is God.

Each of us has a book written by The Almighty King in permanent ink. It is amazing how many books God has written. He has written one for each of our lives. Each book has a unique title, which is our name, inscribed boldly on the front cover. Every book God has written starts out the same with "He created this individual in His image", but every book turns out differently. Day by day, we turn the pages of our giant non-fiction book by LIVING what God has already written. Our books are not perfect; some may have fragmented sentences while some may have improper grammar. As we live the book God has written, we may discover our books are written one way, but we wish for it to be written another. However, we cannot use white out in God's library. We cannot change what has happened and what is to happen. Once God began writing, everything that was meant to be inside our book was written for a purpose, from the words we say to the life we lead to the actions we choose. It is important to remember that every book contains sadness, happiness, love, loss, and hurt but God's love ultimately prevails. Every book has a beginning and end, and our stories can have new beginnings, such as salvation. And every book has a purpose and moral, no matter how messy it may seem. The purpose of each of our books is to live the life God has written for us, taking it page by page. Praise The Great Author of our universe!

God's book for each of us is already written and has been since the beginning of time. The mystery is living page by page, or day by day. This week I found myself living in mystery and desperately hoping to skip pages ahead to see what God has in store for me. I have been eager in a particular situation and have been trying to speed up the process. In doing so, I have made mistakes along the way by not being patient. My impatient actions were already written and are part of God's book of my life. Although I may not have liked my impatient actions and wished I could have used white out to erase them, God's book of my life is permanent and unchanging - permanent and unchanging just like His love for us! The most important thing is to learn from what is already written and be patient for what is to come in God's great books for each of us!

Jesus, write a great story through my life. You are the Author and Finisher of my faith.  Help me to live in well, to the very end, all for Your glory!  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

The [Blank] is Strong with This One

Sunday morning retuning:  I wonder how many were moved along in the continuum of the effectiveness of short-term missions Sunday? Pastor AJ and the others who shared did a great job of building a great case for such trips.  Have you ever been?  You are asking God if He wants you to go in reason to AJ’s dare to go within the next year?

I really enjoy the Star Wars movies. All the cool characters, the great music, and the science fiction of it all.  So I was intrigued when I saw this shirt.

It it very “Star Wars-esque” with the whole, long, long ago, in galaxy far, far away look to it.  But really what intrigued me was the saying.  And I have to admit the intrigue stemmed more from the word sarcasm than the style of the shirt.  The reason for this is that sarcasm is something with which I struggle.  See the shirt was mine, a gift from my mom nonetheless.

Before we go any further I want you to know that my sarcasm is not something I am proud of today, though I used to be.  Using my wit to communicate what was on my mind, with little regard to the feelings of others, was something at one point that I did not mind marking my life. But that is no longer the case.

I would like to say that I am not nearly as sarcastic as I once was, but my family may not see it so.  Obviously, my own mom bought the shirt for me so she still sees me as sarcastic.  Here is where the real rub lies, between the natural and the supernatural.  In my spirit, I do not want to be known for this anymore, but in my flesh, I have no problem with it at all.

When I first saw the shirt, I thought I would just not wear it.  Then I started to think of how I do not want to be marked by this natural tendency, but by a supernatural/spiritual one.  The sarcasm may be strong with me, but I want to keep it in check by a more powerful force in me, the Holy Spirit.

This struggle makes me think of Matthew 26:41, the latter part in particular, “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”  It is difficult for me to resist the temptation of being sarcastic, making cutting remarks with my mouth.  There I said it.  And all my family said, “Amen!”  But I do not want to be known as a person who made excuses for or dismissed the weakness of my flesh, rather by the power of the Spirit in me controlling those natural inclinations.

You see you may have a force in you that would be your undoing as well, undermining your witness, especially to those who know you best.  You do not have to allow that force to mark your life.  Allow a stronger One to keep it in check.  You see, sarcasm may be strong in this one, but I pray the Spirit is stronger still.  What is your [BLANK]?  Fill it in, and submit it to God.

I put the shirt on the other day and Sarah, having not seen it before then, asked me about it and was surprised that I was willing to wear it.  Though I know there are those who in some way where such a shirt as a badge of honor, I wear it to remind me of who I can be at my worst, and how careful I must be to keep from being known by that.

Jesus, I am weak but You are strong.  May my life not be marked by my natural, fleshly tendencies, but rather by the power of Your Spirit in me.    In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Declare His Praises

Sunday morning retuning:  We have heard some great challenges regarding serving our world these last five weeks.  But we have to be doers of the word not hearers only.  As we thought about Justice Sunday, what stirred in you?  Compassion, Hope4Africa, Remember Nhu...So what is the next step for you?  

So maybe you have heard, we have a new CD coming out in a few weeks.  If you are at our release party Saturday night you can get an advance copy.  And this is just one of the reasons you will want to attend the party.

In addition to your FREE CD, we will enjoy a meal together on the front lawn of the church, there will be some lawn games to play, a couple bouncy houses for the little ones, a great concert featuring the twelve songs on the project, halftime entertainment, and prizes.  I really hope you will come out and hear our two bands as they share this music and practice the very message of the work at the same time: Declare His Praises.

The subtitle of the work describes it a little further, “An Invitation to Join the Noise”.  This declaring thing is not only for the musically inclined you see.  Oh no.  1 Peter 2:9b gives a very clear command.  “Declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  And just in case you are wondering who this command is given to, you need look no further than the first part of the verse, God’s people.  So the  invitation is for you.  Will you come join the noise Saturday night, and beyond?

Let me take just a moment and describe how God led us to this point.  Last year we recorded Show Us Your Glory.  I was still anticipating releasing that to the church when our staff was at District Conference and heard our Superintendent speak about being God’s special possession.  I was basking in the afterglow of this project that focused our cry very intently on more of God’s glory in our services and lives.  It was a very vertical focus.  It was what we needed.  And then I heard this challenge to go horizontal.  Declaring God’s praises to those who have ears to hear.  I knew right then that this was to be the focus of this latest project.

Over the months I listened to a lot of different songs.  Some came through North-Mar people, others I sought out, and still others I felt like I stumbled across.  I probably had over 50 on my list at some point and began to prayerfully move things up and down the list to find 12 that would “make the cut”.  I am excited about the horizontal dimension that many of these songs carry, and the way they will help us balance the vertical nature of last years list.

But that is only part of it.  This project is meant to be a tool to assist our worship, which by the way has both vertical and horizontal aspect to it,  That means that people need to sing them.  That means they need to know them.  And how will they know them if they have never heard them.  And how will they hear them if no one ever tells them they can.  Will you please tell someone they can...and then bring them with you Saturday to enjoy the party, and they will also hear a clear invitation to join the noise as we Declare His Praises!  

Jesus, we want to declare you praises with confidence and strength.  We also want to gently welcome others to join us.  Help us maintain this balance Lord.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Running In, Then Out Again?

Sunday morning retuning:  Slow pitches.  Pastor Myron revisited this concept on Sunday, complete with a bat in hand.  If you missed it, check out #servingourworld on Twitter to see a few pics I posted, and some other comments that were made.  He was obviously ready to swing!  Are you?  For more on digging deeper look here.

I run, but I would not call myself a runner.  I have spoken to some of them, and they are just a different breed than me.  I do think it is excellent exercise and try to get 3-4 runs in each week.

On one run last week I headed down a well-worn path of mine.  Depending on the distance of the day, I occasionally run down to 422 then head toward downtown Warren.  This usually takes me across Willard Avenue, where the school  we are partnering with is located, which is also adjacent to Trumbull Homes.  I had Myron’s words echoing in my ears about serving our world more this time than ever before.  I began to pray as I ran.  The words echoed louder and louder until I reached my halfway point.

Somewhere along the way, I realized that many times I have run into this neighborhood that has seen better days, and then turned around and ran back out.  I prayed wondering if the Lord would want to use me here, or elsewhere, to make a difference, not just journey through.

Though I do not usually stop, even though I always want to, I did this time.  I continued to pray, eventually even praying out loud as cars drove by, some of whose drivers were probably wondering about my mental stability.  I just happened to be across from a building that at least at some point in the past housed a church.  I began praying for the things that could once be found there, according to the sign.

I prayed that though this area is known for unions, it would someday be known for unity.  Though manufacturing has shaped its history, its future would be shaped by the manufacturing of disciples who make disciples.  I prayed for greater things yet to come in this city and this valley.

That sounds good, but what I am supposed to do about it?  I am still seeking the answer to that, but I believe it will come in His time.  Are you willing to ask how you can be more involved with #servingourworld?  Let’s do this, as the Spirit fills and leads.

Jesus, we do not want to run out ahead of you, but we do not want to just run in and out of neighborhoods and lives of the people who live there either.  Please show us how we can make a difference for Your glory and the good of those we long to see You.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Julia’s Tunings

Sunday morning retuning:  Good deeds and good works go together.  Again, Pastor Myron continues to build a strong case for why we, as a church, should be externally focused.  Stay with us as he continues to develop this focus through a survey of different Scriptures that point to such a position.  For more on digger deeper look here.

As many of you know, Julia Ciferno is serving with me this summer as our inaugural North-Mar Church Worship Ministries Intern. She is doing a bang up job by the way, blazing a trail for others to follow. I have tried to share as many of my weekly duties with she has risen to the challenge again and again. This week she serves as a guest contributor for Tuesday Tunings, while simultaneously sharing how God has been and continues to lead her to serve Him through worship. I am excited for you to hear her story.

It’s been almost a year since my sister and I, along with 4 other people, embarked on a journey to Hyderabad, India. You may have received a letter prior to our trip and decided to support us with your prayers and gifts—we can’t thank you enough! God provided tremendously, and we saw His love, provision, and power through every aspect of our endeavors. I’d like to take a moment to share a bit of what God has done in my own heart through this experience, and how He’s used it to propel me into what I am now preparing for—over 4 months in the country of Jordan.

First, let’s rewind to August 2013.

I was in India. We worked in and visited 3 different schools, 2 of them in the slums. The spiritual climate was an experience in itself. I’ve been to Burkina Faso, but there was something about India that dried out my spirit in a whole new way. After one week, we had the opportunity to go to a church on the OM (Operation Mobilization) base-- and I couldn't make it through one second of worship without crying. There I was, worshipping the one true God in a land of millions of people who were trying to worship millions of different gods at once! And it was through worship that my spirit was encouraged, nourished, strengthened and watered. Another week passed, and I came to worship once again with the same thirst as before.

I returned from India to an emotional situation at home, and the beginning of fall semester (the semester literally started the day I flew home). I spent the next few weeks with a troubled spirit (not to mention a lot of jet lag), and found solace only in His presence. I became addicted (in a totally awesome, life-changing way) to worship music. I was a musician, so I had plenty of artists who I liked to listen to; but I no longer found any desire to listen to anything other than praise and worship. It fed my soul, kept me thankful, and above all else kept my mind focused on Him and His heart.

I had been leading worship for the young adult group at my church for 3 years, and it had become a huge part of my life. I had always wondered if there was a way that God wanted to use me in regard to worship overseas, but it wasn't until India that I began to have a real sense of the necessity of spending time in worship--especially in such a dark land. If I had such an overwhelming need for it when spending only 2 weeks in India--what was it like for believers who spend 4+ years in the same atmosphere, but in closed countries where they can't simply attend a worship service?

I felt led to meet with our International worker to Jordan to find out if this was indeed a need that they experienced (and if so, to explore how God might use me in that area). I began by telling her about India, and she shared that the first time she came home from 3 years in Jordan, she cried during worship every Sunday for 6 months.

Then she smiled and said, "It's really interesting that you're saying all of this... because a few weeks ago I said to my husband, 'wouldn’t it be SO cool if God called Julia to Jordan to lead worship for us?'"

I got chills--but that wasn't the end of it! She told me of other areas needing attention—web, graphics, photography, videography, and an arts and crafts non-profit of theirs. These are all of my passions aside from worship! I'm currently studying Fine Art with a Graphic Design emphasis, and I love film and have taken classes for it.

Oh, how beautiful does God piece things together.

Julia applied through Envision, a branch of the C&MA that is committed to raising up the next generation for Kingdom change. And of course, she was accepted. Her internship begins in January and finishes in May. She needs to raise $1,250 per month--totaling close to $7000, (not including airfare). If you’d like to be a part of supporting her in this journey, you can give online here. In the box under “Give to International Workers and Special Projects,” type: "ENV – Julia Ciferno" and then click the red “Give Now” box that appears.

Jesus, please continue to guide Julia as she endeavors to stay one step behind You. Provide for every need she has. Use our family at North-Mar as a tremendous encouragement to her in this and every part of her journey. In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Externally-Focused Church

Sunday morning retuning:  So we have begun our four week journey through our Externally-Focused Church series.  Pastor Myron began to build a strong case for why we, as a church, should be externally focused.  Stay with us as he continues to develop this focus through a survey of different Scriptures that point to such a position.  For more on digger deeper look here.

This idea of focusing externally has been on my heart for almost a year in a very pointed way.  In September of last year while attending our Annual District Conference, a gathering of Alliance church leaders from West Virginia and Eastern Ohio, we heard a stirring message from our Superintendent from 1 Peter 2:9.  He used that Scripture to illustrate who we are, God’s people and what we are called to do, declare His praises.  The Church, Focus Externally, to bend it from my perspective.

Having just completed a CD project titled “Show Us Your Glory”, and ever looking for the “next step” Jesus wants us to take, this idea of “declaring the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness and into His wonderful light”, seemed very clear.  For the next several months I listened to things that would encourage that very heart, and now, as we stand on the cusp of releasing that new CD [Release Party scheduled for Saturday, August 23] we are spending a few weeks being instructed as to what the Bible says about looking outwardly as we live the Gospel.  God’s timing never ceases to amaze me!

As I began to pray about the services that would share the burden of revealing these truths, I kept being drawn back to remembering what the church is, and what we are called to do.  All this in line with the thrust of the CD that is currently in production.  [If you would like to see a sneak peek of the cover designed by our worship intern Julia Ciferno you can click here.]  In the midst of that process I came across one video, then another that I thought were perfect companions, bookends as it were for this four week series.  I gathered from the response on Sunday I am not alone in that estimation.

The first stirs us to recall what Church is even as we gather, Welcome to Church.  

The second which we used as we prepared to depart reminds us that it takes a whole life to do this, not one hour, Before You’re Dismissed.  I love his last line, “Only when you leave the church building can you create the Kingdom of Heaven.”

I have also been listening to some new songs for the next project, which we may just do live on a few Sunday mornings next July or August, and one of them in particular really has come to the forefront because of one line in particular.  The song is We Believe, by the Newsboys.  “So, let our faith be more than anthems/Greater than the songs we sing”. Amen!

Jesus, we want to do more than declare Your praise for 1 hour while we are gathered together.  We want to declare it in everything we do. Teach us to focus externally, even as we rest in You.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

I Hope You Dance

Sunday morning retuning:  You heard a stirring story of a family that is working heard to put faith in action as they learn to love the world around them.  What’s the next step for you?  Will you take it?  You probably have some sense of how God is leading and if not, stay with us the next four weeks through our Externally-Focused Church series.  I bet you will know by then.

This past weekend I had the great joy of celebrating the marriage of one of my nephews to his lovely new bride.  It was a beautiful ceremony, followed by a joy-filled reception where the love of and for this couple was fully one display.  I was truly honored to be a guest at this celebration!

I really enjoyed the food and festivities of the reception, including the dancing.  At one point, when I sat down to take a break, my mother-in-law said to me, “I am seeing a side of you I never have.”  That caught me off guard, since she has know me over twenty years, and has seen me in a number of different settings, leading worship and special services, and living ordinary life.

I had to ask myself what was it that she saw that she hadn’t before and why hadn’t she.  My immediate response was she has seen me in front of the church, not in the crowd celebrating.  But it also occurred to me that life does not provide many opportunities to dance, either literally or figuratively.  Keep that in mind while I share another theme on my heart these days.

We are just finishing up the production of our newest recording project titled “Declare His Praises”.  Based on I Peter 2:9b the intent was to create a project that would encourage and aid our church to speak God’s worth in a strong and confident way.  By His grace, I think we have done that.  You can listen to a sample here.  [If you were a member of our about Facebook group you would have already gotten a notification about this, just saying.]

This idea of being strong and confident as we declare God’s praise intertwined for me this weekend with this idea of dancing.  That is, not holding back, sitting on the side of the dance floor but getting in the game.  Generally speaking, I want to dance, to live with faith and vigor.  Frankly, I want this for you too. When given the choice to sit out or dance, I Hope You Dance.

There is another wedding feast that I am looking forward to.  It will be a celebration like none ever before.  It is the one that will follow the marriage of Jesus Christ and His Bride the Church.  Every time we gather to worship we are declaring this truth and foreshadowing its fulfillment.  But I wonder how well we do?  Here is another song which provides that encouragement to dance, but this one makes me want to actually do it!  The invitation is there for any who will receive it to get onto God’s Great Dance Floor.  

Jesus, thank You for inviting us to live boldly, and to declare Your praises likewise.  Give us the courage we need to do this every day, as a natural expression of the way You have created and are re-creating each of us.  Help us dance, always and only for Your glory.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Bella Crisis Kitty

Sunday morning retuning:  What a great encouragement to be a child of God, and exactly what that looks like for those of who have forgotten, we received on Sunday.  May God give each of us the grace to put this truth into practice.  If you are ready to become a kid again, check here for resources to help.

[I am always trying to encourage each to see the hand of God in our lives, and giving HIm praise for it!  The following story provided by guest contributor Tia Ciferno, is a great illustration of that.]

Julie was walking to the garbage dumpster after our patient day today when a very tousled long-haired grey tabby began meowing loudly and incessantly. One ear was tattered and her face was gaunt with hunger. She followed Julie all the way up the Bella steps and onto our porch, crying.

At first we wondered why she limped and had such a terrible odor. With a closer look we found a pink jeweled collar wrapped around her neck then somehow looped over her right front shoulder and under her tummy. It was wedged tightly into her fur and skin, creating a deep and painful wound.  What a sight!  We gave her something to eat to distract her while taking scissors to the collar, and with one cut the collar fell free.

We thought instantly of my sister Maria, whose specialty is wildlife rehab. One phone call and she was on her way with medicine and counsel.  She washed our Bella Kitty's wounds gently, fed her and brought a cat carrier. Kitty sat quietly and allowed Maria to care for her, and tonight that wounded wanderer is sleeping soundly in my daughter's bedroom, sensing that she's very loved and safe here.  Her vet appointment for stitches and medicine is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

I know there's a beautiful creature beneath that matted fur and that emaciated body. Transformation is the story here, both in the feline that found her way to Bella, and in the lives of those who also find their refuge within our walls. We care for women (and men) who emotionally and spiritually limp up those same steps and enter our doors. We love them like the Good Samaritan who cared for the man on the side of the road. He carried him to the inn, dressed his wounds, and paid for his care.

God sends us such beautiful messages!  I was in tears as I thought again about the absolute horror of that kitty's wounds- but then the joy of cutting that collar from her and watching it fall free! What an exhilarating moment!  How the Lord must rejoice when we come to Him in all our woundedness and with so much binding our hearts...perhaps wrapped in the stench of death from sin- only to find that our pleas are met with a Divine loosening of all we carry by the Power of Love....because of Christ He looses our bonds and we are free!

Transformation is the story for all of us!!

--

Tia Ciferno

Executive Director

Bella Women's Center

Thanks Tia for this beautiful reminder of God’s work in our lives.

Jesus, thank You for your transforming work in our lives.  Please don’t stop.  we are so needy of your continued freeing, because we often get ourselves tangled up in different messes, our own and others.  Make us beautiful in Your time.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy