Cwillz Spills

It is a pleasure to give to ministries that are unique and valuable work in the Kingdom of God.  This time I want to point your attention to Emmaus Ministries.  While there are several valuable ministries out there with a similar name, I hope you can celebrate the hope and redemption found living at this one.

In their own words(www.streets.org):

Our Mission

To make Jesus known on the streets among men involved in sexual exploitation.

Our Purpose

To provide hope in Christ for men involved in sexual exploitation by developing ministries of evangelization, transformation, and education.

• Evangelization: Following Christ’s example by modeling His character and compassion on the streets.
• Transformation: Providing assistance and support during transition away from street life.
• Education: Building an awareness of the needs of men involved in prostitution and equipping the Body of Christ to respond.

I visited this ministry with as a part of a group of senior Christian Ed. majors from Taylor University about a year ago.  We participated in an “Immersion Night” where we spent time in gay bars, clubs, and on the streets getting to know people.  I can truly say that that night has changed the way I approach homosexuality and how I talk about gay people or use the term gay.

Emmaus loves people.  They speak the truth, but also provide very real resources to help people in need.  My time spent there that night retaught me that if we preach against a sin, we must be able to offer hope for the victims of that condition and maybe set aside the questions about how volitional or not it may have been for their lives to come to that place.  The decision that matters is the step towards God and recovery found in Christ’s love.

Also, Emmaus has made it easy and safe to give online using donate.net.

May the Lord’s will be done,

CWillz

Our posture to the world needs to be one of hands raised in support, open, steady, and supported by the fear and love of God.  All too often we start with open, supportive, weak-yet-empowered hands that influence out world and fellow humans towards love, justice, peace, and godliness–only to later close our fists to grasp control, not realizing that a closed hand will eventually lead to a closed heart and a saltless life that is only a shell of the Gospel which once was allowed to live through us.

May the Lord’s will be done,

CWillz

This might be a disappointment to some of you, but the question I asked today was not about the future of America nor of out newly inaugurated President. I would like to give reason for the lack of blogging recently. My explanation for this behavior is simple: sometimes it is good to think out loud so that everyone can read it, and other times it is necessary to do one’s sorting in private or with close friends. Anyway, it is my blog, right?

Down to it. What I have been learning in a very real, very meaningful way over the last few months is that each and every moment of our lives is an opportunity for us to trust in the goodness of God. By “goodness of God” I mean that He loves us and I have no clue how. More on that the “goodness of God” means later (see C.S. Lewis’ “The Problem of Pain” Ch. 3 for more). What it means to trust in the goodness of God for me right now is this:

The next phase of my life will be spent teaching, pastoring, preaching, or learning how to do those things better in the following location: right where I am, the Czech Republic, China, Spain, any one of a smattering of communities new to me across the United States, seminary, or itinerant preaching. Also, don’t forget to account for variable change.

So today I was a little fried about trying to imagine what the next step may be. After requesting that my fellow staff members at church pray for wisdom and discernment, and then venting for about 20 minutes to a close friend, I finally came to the point where I took it to God in prayer. (this is backwards and frankly stupid, but real).

I have been learning to pray with child-like faith. Today that child was a little girl. With my face on the floor, a pouty lip and erratic kicking of the legs I asked God the question. “Where do you want me?”

If you have ever asked this question you may at first, like me, be proud of yourself for making yourself available to God. This is a good thing, but for me it contains some pride. Just because I am talented, available, and stunningly good looking doesn’t mean that God has to want me to do anything for him. Where did I get this entitlement from?

God’s answer, which I barely heard through my erupting case of LGS, was humbling and loving at the same time.

“Right here, in My arms.”

Please pray that my heart would be open, warm, and vulnerable enough with God to be able to be right where he wants me. However and whenever that may be.

May the Lord’s will be done,

CWillz

I forgot to do the Giving Highlight last month.  I chose another micro-finance related organization to give to.  I really like this concept.  Before I tell you about Five Talents, I should give an update on the loans I made through Kiva a few months ago.  All of the loans have gone into repayment, which means that I am starting to get money back.  So basically the people who needed it have used it and have started to make enough money to support themselves/their families and repay me.  The money they have paid back I have re-loaned, which will hopefully create another sustainable job for someone else.  The cycle continues.

I chose to give to Five Talents because of they address more than the economic/systemic issues of poverty by wokring also for spiritual development. Also, they make online giving easy via credit card!

From thier website:

Five Talents’ mission is to fight poverty, create jobs and transform lives by empowering the poor in developing countries using innovative savings and microcredit programs, business training and spiritual development.

Also, a YouTube Special for you:

May the Lord’s will be done,

CWillZ