The Blend

Check out a post by our pastor about his vision for the Blend!

The Blend

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The Letter

The Following is from a guest blogger, Makayla Roberts, one of our students in our ministry. Hope you like it!

Dear Child,

Why are you so afraid? You hear me call you, but instead turn up the radio to tune me out. You see my face, but close your eyes. You feel my love, but push it away . I know all about what you did last year. You think forgiveness isn't even possible, that it doesn't even exist. If only you knew The Truth. You're letting your past make your future my love. My Son gave you the chance to start over, even before you were born, when he took your shame on the cross. Speaking of Him, he talks to Me about you all the time. He really loves You. He was right there beside you when you messed up, with His hand on your shoulder. I was also. You can start over. Right now. You're slate has been wiped clean, your trash thrown away. Just come to Me! Not tomorrow, not in a few years, but now. I can fill you with a love you never thought was possible. I can give you an inexpressible joy. I can make you feel beautiful, without ever having to try. I promise you it will be
the best decision of your life. Will you take me up on My offer?

Forever Yours,

God

P.S. I'm here 24/7 if you ever need anyone to talk to.

He Won't Let You Go

May this song encourage you!

Mercy House Miracle

The unexpected surprise of compassion came to men who were hungry on a Friday evening where tens of thousands were several blocks away taking in the offerings of Azalea Festival foods. We came as we've done for the past several months to give the men a hot meal, a word of encouragement, a prayer for hope in the midst of current struggles, and a consistent "we're coming back next time" mentality. Did the smells of the bratwurst and funnel cakes reach the Mercy House? The irony was not lost on them I'm sure.

A certain gentleman came upon the meal line to receive some spaghetti and meatballs, the meal prepared for the night. He took the plate, smiled, and made a few comments to the students who were compassionate towards him. He also mentioned he needed to move his truck. I thought nothing of it and said sure, we'll move the tables for you. The last thing he said as he walked away from the tables was I've been selling Christian t-shirts all day. I was curious as to his connection with the Mercy House, perhaps there was none, no matter, we would feed whoever walked up and needed a meal.

As the truck drove by the tables we had moved, the man rolled down his window, reached toward me and said, "here". I saw he was trying to tip us, so I politely declined and said you keep it man. He continued to insist, so I took the folded bills and put them in my pocket, and carried on with the feeding. After we had closed down for the evening, I pulled out the tip, and it was an amazing act of generosity. It was a miracle. Funds were tight with the ministry as it stood, and a complete stranger who we gave a meal to, simply was recklessly generous. It was the Mercy House Miracle.

Floating Axe Heads and Daring Escapes

Today we examined a passage in 2 Kings about a floating axe head. Yep. You read that right. An axe head floated to the top of the water. The point? God cares for us tremendously, from our smallest needs to our life crises. The guy who lost a borrowed axe head wanted it back, so Elisha threw in a stick and it floated to the top. A true miracle. God cares.

The photo here is another example of God caring, specifically, for me and others who escaped the accident on I-40 that took the life of the individual beneath the half car under the trailer. I and a friend of mine were scouting out a mountain to hike, and along the way, escaped death, or rather God wanted us to continue our lives here. Essentially, it wasn't our time yet. And I'm grateful.

The scene was surreal, and the crash plays over and over in my head. I swerved like the Daytona 500 and for those of you who know my driving skills, that was no small feat. The white car you see, actually crossed my path at a 90 degree angle, in the 2nd lane from the left. That's how I close came to becoming involved in the accident. I saw the truck swerve and the car disintegrate in font of me all in a matter of moments.

I couldn't speak for a few moments as we traveled alone on the road with an 8 mile back up behind us either way on the interstate. My friend and I simply recounted the Providence of God upon our lives.