from the heart

    “Arms Around the City” is a vision of what we believe God is asking us to do. Think with me on some of the things we’ve been addressing in this series.  Having a heart for the city is the first one.  Jesus saw the people and was “moved with compassion” because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  Putting our hands to the need around us is the second.  Wherever and whoever we are, God wants to use us right where we are, just like the young boy with the 5 loaves and 2 fish.  Wow, can God ever take something small and use it in a great way.  Then, God wants to use our conviction in our city – the conviction to right wrongs, and to help fix the broken people.  My prayer is that God is beginning to give YOU a vision of what it means to be the church outside the walls! 
    I believe I am beginning to see things around me with “new eyes.”  At least, I hope and pray that I am – because I am part of the church that represents Jesus Christ and that means being less like “me” and more like “Him.”  That’s when I know I’m on the right track – and that’s true for all of us.  What a journey to be on!
    Thanks again for your generous contributions of food.  We are now feeding close to 1000 people a month through 6 Stones Mission Network, and word is getting around!  Keep praying and giving!

    “Arms Around the City” is a vision of what we believe God is asking us to do. He is doing something special – and part of that is learning to love our city.  Whatever city you call your own, we’re praying for the Lord to give us the same love, same burden and passion for the city that HE had for the cities.  Love for your city translates into ministry TO the city – the church placing her “arms around the city” that God has placed us in.  Imagine how transforming that would be – for the church to have her “…arms around the city!” 
    A major part of what God has called us to do, as the church, is to “show compassion” for our city.  That compassion takes many forms, from feeding hungry people to helping people find jobs in a tough job market.  It consists of meeting people where they are at their point of need – and remembering the ultimate need we all have is to know Jesus Christ.  There is another aspect of showing compassion that is critical – and that is in the area of justice.  Helping bring about justice is helping “right wrongs.” Some of what happens in our cities is just wrong – morally, ethically and legally.  For Christians to be SALT and LIGHT, we must stand up for moral/ethical justice, and refuse to be silent when there are victims that need to be rescued.
    While this justice is expressed in many ways, one way is through addressing teenage pregnancy and preserving life.  Mid-Cities Pregnancy Centers have saved tens of thousands of babies, but they’ve also counseled many grief-stricken young  women who already aborted their child.  We have also begun reaching out to teenage mothers of preschoolers (Teen Mops)  and see an expanding ministry there.  Let me ask a penetrating question:  “What conviction do you have for our cities? What wrong do you see that needs to be made right?”  Our conviction can help put our arms around the city!    

Arms Around the City

   “Arms Around the City” is more than a message series. It is a vision of what we believe God is asking us to do. He is doing something special among us and a big part of that is learning to love our city. Whatever city you call your own, we’re praying for the Lord to give us the same love, same burden and passion for the city that HE had for the cities of His day. Love for your city translates into ministry TO the city – the church placing her “arms around the city” that God has placed us in. Imagine how transforming that would be – for the church to have her “…arms around the city!”
   In our quest to do this, another term becomes the strategy by which every person has a part. “Miracle Moments” are those opportunities when you can talk to someone in your school, workplace or neighborhood about your church or about Jesus Christ. It is something everyone can do – and should do! We place our arms around the city by being prepared to take advantage of every miracle moment that unfolds. You see, when God gives you the opportunity to speak about Jesus (or to invite people to come hear about Him) you have this amazing treasure of Christ that you can share with them. You can never do anything better for a person than to share with them about the Lord, because HE is their answer. That’s always the case, so be ready!
   This past September, we challenged our church to look for 100,000 “miracle moments” and to date, we’ve had nearly 50,000 reported. Do you think God has blessed those miracle moments? There’s no question, He has! Can we finish the month of September strong and shoot for another 100,000 next year? Why not? This treasure is too precious to keep under wraps. Put your arms around the city!