Marvin Johnson is the Director of Compassion Ministries at Church for The Nations Flagstaff. His ministry does the normal things that you would expect, but compassion has no boundaries in how it's shared.
          A small (and growing) group of volunteers serve scrumptious meals at many church events. They also deliver food to folks who need some. Yes I know, that's normal and most churches do that kind of stuff. Marvin's crew does a whole lot more. They are big on collaboration!
          Sometimes a plea for help will come through social media on Facebook. Sometimes folks will leave a message on the Church For The Nations Flagstaff 24 hour Prayer Line 928-421-2050. Yesterday a young man from the Sunshine Rescue Mission volunteered his time and his pickup truck to deliver a mattress and box spring along with a beautiful set of dishes to a family in need. Ryan Musgrove is a very energetic young man who combines his love for Jesus with his compassionate desire to serve the community. Thanks Ryan for your help.We'd also like to thank the kind lady who arranged for the bed set to be available.
          The Compassion Ministries Team made several trips into the forest to help a family camping. A relative had contacted the church through social media asking for help. Water and some food supplies were delivered. Over the course of a couple of days, arrangements were made to pick up and deliver a jack and auto parts. The family was able to make the repair.
          In both cases physical items were supplied to meet some basic needs. The Compassion Team also provided prayer and Bibles. Going the extra spiritual mile is the more excellent way and the most important thing we can do. Thank you Marvin and all the volunteers on the Compassion Ministries Team. There's a beautiful collaboration happening among ministries here. 
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#compassionministries #srm #cftnflag #ywap4God #JLYASDW

          He was one of the kindest and gentlest guys you could ever meet. Pat Hatle left an indelible heart imprint on everyone he met. He was a big part of the success at Anew Living in Flagstaff, Arizona.
          Last Saturday (8-30-20) Pat's friends, family and his beloved chickens gathered near the newly named Hatle Hen House. A little girl went into the Hen House to retrieve a freshly laid egg. It's easy to believe that the egg was especially laid for this grand occasion. Pat was known as the Chicken Whisperer. His relatives even said that Pat's nickname as a youth was Rooster! He had a unique way of making people and animals feel loved.
          Anew Living Founder and Director, Lori Barlow Matthews along with her husband Mark led the memorial for Pat. They held up a beautifully made sign in front of the chickens that said: "Hatle Hen House" as the chickens posed in Pat's honor. Several people spoke about the impact that Pat had made on their lives and organizations. Pastor Shaun Rost, Director of the Sunshine Rescue Mission and YWAP Director Bob Kuebler had great things to say about Pat.
          Every Sunday Pat invited people to Church For The Nations Flagstaff. He always wore a shirt that proclaimed his faith loud and clear with the words, "I stand for the flag and I kneel for the cross." Pat Hatle had his life priorities straight. Stand for what you believe in and give honor to those who died for our freedom. Jesus died. for our eternal freedom from sin. Pat's now in heaven with Jesus. He's already heard the words of Christ as He smiled and said, "Well done good and faithful servant." Thanks God for blessing us with the life of Pat. Help us to love each other the way Pat and Jesus love us. Amen.
          ANEW Living provides transitional housing solutions to families as well as individuals. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#chickenwhisperer #pathatlehenhouse #ywap4Christ #srm #JLYASDW

          Many stories of redeemed lives are strange. You wouldn't find a chapter in the Bible named Ebenezer Scrooge. but there are a lot of Scrooge-like stories. Today at the Sunshine Rescue Mission, there was Jesus. 
          You won't find his name in the book of Ruth, but there is a root of bitterness in the story before redemption happens. Naomi leaves Bethlehem with her husband and two sons because there is a famine in the land. They travel about 50 miles to Moab - a place where God isn't recognized or respected. While she's there. her husband dies and eventually her two sons die after they were married for 10 childless (barren) years. 
          Naomi experiences famine, death and barrenness before she hears that God has heard and answered the prayers of the folks back home. Prosperity has returned. Only her Daughter-in-law Ruth returns with her and is famously known for these words: "But Ruth said, “Don’t ask me to leave you! Don’t beg me not to follow you! Every place you go, I will go. Every place you live, I will live. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God. And where you die, I will die. And there I will be buried. I ask the Lord to punish me terribly if I do not keep this promise: Only death will separate us.” Ruth 1:16-17 ICB
          After arriving in Bethlehem, everyone is excited to see them, but Naomi has returned as a bitter woman. 
 "But Naomi told the people, “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara, because God All-Powerful has made my life very sad." Ruth 1:20 ICB The rest of the story is about God's redemption and restoration. 
          The Christmas Story about Ebenezer Scrooge is similar in that there's a root of bitterness that caused him to be bitter. He's not only bitter, he's also grouchy, miserable, cantankerous, cold, stingy and crabby to name a few more negative attributes. One Christmas Eve, his former business partner who died on a previous Christmas Eve, comes back to visit him as a ghost. He appears straight out of the pits of hell as a warning to Scrooge to change his miserable demeanor or he'll end up in hell too.
        Scrooge is then visited by three ghosts from Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. The first ghost takes him to a street corner where he sees boyhood friends and he shares in their joyful reunion. Soon though, they all bid farewell and wish each other a Merry Christmas. Scrooge's dad had put him in a boarding school as a young boy and wasn't allowed home on Christmas. There was no father-son relationship. The bitterness of fatherlessness grew like poison ivy in a young boy's heart.
          Like Naomi, Scrooge experienced redemption and with it came a resurrected heart. The world is full of Jesus Moments. Like the popular song "There Was Jesus" sung by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton, we all have moments we can look back on and see there was Jesus in our struggles. Today is a good day to look forward and see Jesus redeeming bitter lives. We can remember them tomorrow as we seek Jesus today.
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#JLYASDW #therewasJesus #srm #sunshinerescuemission #ywap4Christ

          While some folks are camped out on social media complaining about the state of the world, Mrs. Triggs is continually helping folks change their world.
          She's a master collaborator and organizer who prays before she does anything. Yes, this saint of a woman puts God first, other people second and herself third.
          Servant-hood in the neighborhood could well be her life motto, Truth be told, this lady has no time to dwell on a  life motto, she's too busy! People with physical or emotional needs can count on Mrs. Triggs to be a friend in time of need. 
          If you're able, she can always use new recruits in her army of volunteers. You can also chip in a couple of bucks to help her with expenses. She doesn't take a salary and uses her own home as a staging venue for community changing events. Mrs. Triggs always needs more help. The Buffalo community is growing in needs, please help this saint-like lady. She may never get the title of saint, but she's too busy for titles anyway. One thing we know for sure, in God's eyes, this lady is destined for sainthood through servanthood in the neighborhood! 
         You can send a check to: None Like You/We Care 595 Sycamore St, Buffalo, NY 14212-1054
         To volunteer or learn how to help the community, please call Mrs. Triggs: 716-533-9753

    If you'd like to donate now online, please use our secure PayPal button below and YWAP will forward 100% of your generosity to Mrs. Triggs.
     Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          The words of a popular song ask, "Jesus take the wheel." It's a metaphor that gives Jesus permission to take over our lives. This morning at the Sunshine Rescue Mission, we asked the question, "How could we communicate like Jesus?"
          The world seems to be growing more argumentative with each conversation. Our tendency is to work hard to persuade others to join our side of the argument and give up their own. Today we examined another option. Instead of taking opposing sides against each other, what would it look like if we took the side of Jesus?
          How can we speak like Jesus spoke? Today we examined 15 quotes from Jesus and examined them to see how we might fit them into our own lingo. You can find the list below. We encourage you to go through the list and see how you might use those words in your life.

Love Goes The Extra Mile
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Share The Water of Life
John 4:13, 14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
The Good Shepherd Gives Abundance Away 
John 10:10, 11 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Eternal Life for His Sheep, Jesus Grants A Better Future
John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.
A Door of Opportunity - The Way, The Truth and The Life
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Friends Give Invitations - Jesus Invites All to Follow Him
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Ask, Seek, Find - For Yourself & Others, It's Not All About You!
Matthew 7:7,8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Jesus and the Children - They're 100% of The Future!
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Gain the Whole World
Mark 8:34-37 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
He Calls Sinners (All of Us Are Sinners!)
Luke 5:31, 32 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Be a Light in the World - Shine Goodness As You Pass Through The Lives of Other Folks.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Love Your Enemies and Do Something Nice For Them Too!
Matthew 5:43-44 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Do Unto Others - Esteem Others As More Valuable Than Yourself
Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
The Greatest Commandment: Love God and Your Neighbor & Do It Again!
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Be a Servant to Others - Without Expectation.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#strongresilientmen #ywap4Christ #srm #JLYASDW

            You can't stop her compassionate heart with a pandemic. Mrs.Elizabeth Triggs and her volunteers at None Like You/We Care Outreach are unstoppable!
          When the community is hard pressed from every side, she swoops into the neighborhood with a smile and serving hands.
            After a community of people has been well fed and had their needs met, only then will Mrs. Triggs go home to rest. She only rests long enough to regain her energy to plan her next act of love in the City of Buffalo.
           Prayer begins all of her events. She prays before, during and after each event. You may not see it when she's serving unceasingly, but prayer is evidenced in the way she loves people. Thanks Mrs. Triggs for your loving way. God our Father is proud of you and so are we!
          If you're looking to do volunteer work in the Buffalo Area or would like to donate to None Like You, please call Mrs. Triggs at, 716-533-9753. Her next event is a Book bag Giveaway on August 1, 2020 called "August Gift of Joy, Hope and Love." This kind woman is sponsoring a whole "Week of Giving Back!" We've posted a picture of the flyer below so you can share it. Please do share it!
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#nonelikeyou #unstoppabletriggs #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          Failure was the topic at our morning gathering of men inside the Sunshine Rescue Mission (SRM.)  It was an honor to be there in place of Pastor Daniel Williamson from Church for the Nations - Flagstaff. CFTNFlag is very active in Community Engagement which compliments the programs at SRM. Neighbors serving neighbors.
          Mistakes are a common thread that connects all men, women and children. What we learn from those mistakes that helps us grow falls into the category of wisdom. Failure is your footprint of future success. God allows failure to make a greater way for strengthening your character. God's Love never quits ~ go and do likewise.
          The picture above is a shirt that invites folks to make a decision to move into a relationship with Jesus. We told a story about a man who felt he was urged by God to tell another man about Christ. He decided it wasn't the best time. The man he was supposed to talk to about Christ died that night. He looks back on that time as a failure and will never repeat that failure.
          Sometimes at a place like the Mission, guys will stay in the program for a short time and then quit. They develop a reputation around town as failures. They refuse to follow through and become finishers. Sooner or later they come back again. When they show up and ask for another chance, their history as failures causes us to write them off as failures without believing they can change. God desires that none should perish and so should we.
          Below is the cover sheet for our lesson today. The Bible is a gift from Ken Metzger and was given to one of the men. It's great to receive presents that change lives. Thanks Ken! After that you will find some pictures of young men who were killed in gang violence. We shared their stories today to give meaning to their lives. As a Youth Director who knew all of them personally, it's hard not to feel like a failure because they died. It's not true, but it hurts just the same. It does cause me to go the extra mile to give guys all the chances they need to live new lives in Christ.
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#gobeyond2ndchances #srm #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
                    The Gift of Failure
                    July 28, 2020 pbob

• Failure is your footprint of future success. ~ Get wisdom. ~ Take another step.
• Don’t quit.
• God allows failure to make a greater way for the strengthening of our character.

 

1. God’s Love never quits no matter how many times you fail.

 
 “The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; 
I will keep forever my promise of peace.” So says the Lord who loves you.”
Isaiah 54:10 GNT

1. God covers our failures with His compassion.

 
“This exile is just like the days of Noah for me: I promised then that the waters of Noah would never again flood the earth. I’m promising now no more anger, no more dressing you down. For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, My love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.” The God who has compassion on you says so.”  Isaiah 54:9-10 MSG

1. There is power and strength in God’s Love.

 
A Song of Victory
For the director of music. By the Lord’s servant, David. David sang this song to the Lord. He sang it when the Lord had saved him from Saul and all his other enemies.
“I love you, Lord. You are my strength.” Psalm 18:1 ICB

1. Our Love for each other will turn failures into the unity of victory in God.

 I Love You, Lord
Praises sung to the Pure and Shining One, by King David, his servant, composed when the Lord rescued David from all his many enemies, including from the brutality of Saul
“ Lord, I passionately love you and I’m bonded to you for now you’ve become my power!” Psalm 18:1 TPT
 
They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love Jars of Clay
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Peter Scholtes

​God Gives Grace To Failures.
July 28, 2020 pbob
 
GRACE GRACE
You tried before and miserably failed.
Another mountain peak left unscaled.
In every race you're the one who trailed.
How much can I take! You loudly wailed.
Grace, Grace is about to be unveiled.
Another convict about to be bailed!
Your ship's come in and its about to be sailed!
Your train of misery is about to be derailed!
Upon a cross God's Son was impaled,
Facing death, in prayer Jesus travailed.
Watching her son die a mother bewailed.
Innocent of all charges He still got nailed.
"Father forgive them." Said the one full of grace.
"It is finished." His last breath, finishing the race.
On the third day in his grave, death had no trace.
His heart is ready for your new birthplace.
A new beginning no remembrance of disgrace,
All your records of defeat, with love He'll erase.
Start this minute surrender your life to Grace,
His love for you is unstained and full of Grace.
 
KUMBAYA - COME BY HERE LORD
The original song “Kumbaya” was written by an unknown Author,
The lyrics have been changed here in an attempt to create greater compassion. ~ pbob
Someone's leaving home Lord, Kumbaya.
Someone's drowning in alcohol Lord, Kumbaya.
Someone's cheating Lord, Kumbaya.
Someone's crying in jail Lord, Kumbaya.
An orphan is lost Lord, Kumbaya.
Someone's drugging Lord, Kumbaya.
Someone's watching porn Lord, Kumbaya.
A widow is hurting Lord, Kumbaya.
Someone needs a friend Lord, Kumbaya.
Someone's dying from disease Lord, Kumbaya.
Someone's divorced and lonely Lord, Kumbaya.
Someone's being abused Lord, Kumbaya.
Some children need a Dad Lord, Kumbaya
A city is violent Lord, Kumbaya.
A nation is at war Lord, Kumbaya.
A world has lost it's first Love Lord, Kumbaya.
Come by here, my Lord.
O Lord, Kumbaya.

          It was the first time in many months that folks gathered inside Church for the Nations - Flagstaff. There's no need to tell you about how the Pandemic has changed everything. This week, some new normalcy happened and it was very welcome.
          For the past few months the Church has gathered in the wide open spaces of a soccer field in the shadows of the mountains. Folks would sit in their cars or in lawn chairs and sometimes even on a tree stump. The forecast was originally for rain so it appeared to be a good idea to once again move indoors.
          It wasn't easy, but we wanted to make everyone comfortable. The chairs were spaced and masks were available and folks were urged to use them as they felt comfortable. Marvin and his Compassion Ministries Tean served breakfast outside the church. Children were given bags of goodies. Hand sanitizer was in ample supply. 
          It was a beautiful day in the church-hood! Lots of smiles, lots of prayer, beautiful worship music and a great message from Christian Weed. People need community and this church is all about going the extra mile to engage the community through service.
          Only God knows at this point what will happen next week, but one thing we know for sure - this Church will find a way to honor God in community with people! Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we. 
#cftnflag #ywap4Christ #teamJesus #oneChurch #oneMission #JLYASDW
​

          Some Graduations are extra special, but this graduation went beyond extra special! The Graduates from the Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage Flagstaff were surrounded by family and friends.
          Smiles, tears and hugs let these young men and women know how proud everyone of what they had accomplished. They can now call themselves "Finishers." They stayed with the program and finished with excellence!
          Mike and Kathie Knapp were the hosts of this heart-moving event. They opened up their hearts and their home. Marvin Johnson III and his volunteers from Compassion Ministries did a phenomenal job providing an excellent meal. They were just one of several ministries represented by Church for the Nations - Flagstaff.
          The men were also part of the Man Cave at SRM. This week (7-30-20) guys from the Man Cave will do some Community Engagement at the NAOMI House. This is a special place dedicated to provide a safe and loving home for Native American children in need. You can read more on their website, http://www.thenaomihouse.org/
​          The Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage Flagstaff is more than just a place to help men and women become "Finishers." They are a Valuable Community Resource. They are developing a Mentor Force to reach young people in a fatherless generation. They have stories of overcoming hard times and advice on how to avoid some of life's worst problems,
          If you need a Community Engagement Team to help with a volunteer project, please call 716-830-8240. Great things are happening in Flagstaff through men and women living redeemed lives.We need community now more than ever before.
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#JLYASDW

          Hebrews 10:24-25 Amplified Bible
"and let us consider [thoughtfully]
how we may encourage one another to love
and to do good deeds,
not forsaking our meeting together
[as believers for worship and instruction],
as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another;
and all the more [faithfully]
​as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching."

          It was a beautiful day in the Womanhood! The ladies from the Hope Chest in Flagstaff gathered for a special evening of friendship, learning, worship and prophetic prayer. Jennifer Leyland is the Founder, Director of the Hope Chest. Jennifer goes the extra mile to help women know how much God values them. The Connection Card describes the Hope Chest as: "Safe and Sober Housing for Women." That only tells a fraction of the story.
          Monday night (7-20-20) was another special opportunity for the women to go to a place of greater hope in God. For the second time, Linda Kuebler was invited to teach, lead and pray in her prophetic gifting. Linda is a YWAP Director and Prayer Leader at Church for The Nations Flagstaff. She has called upon by many church leaders in several states to ask God for a word for their congregations. People from all over the US and several countries will call asking her to pray over them. Her relationship with God is highly respected.
          Linda's special message for the ladies was about the "Holiness of God." The Key Bible Verse for Linda's  teaching was Psalm 27:4 (AMPC)
"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple."
          After the lesson, Linda prayed for each of the women individually. They each received a personal word from God. The ladies worshiped God and sang "Holy Spirit You Are Welcome Here."  Hope is being birthed everyday at the Hope Chest. Linda is a great Teacher of the Word of God made even more powerful by the way she prays the Word into the lives of woman.
          The future of the Hope Chest is bright because the Director, Jennifer Leyland is a builder. She builds relationships as a servant the way Christ does. Her experience includes leadership roles in Teen Challenge, the Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage. Jennifer is one of those people who believes we need to do more to share the love of Christ with folks who hurting. She's also helping to launch Celebrate Recovery at Church for The Nations Flagstaff.
           Collaborations between builders and teachers like Jennifer and Linda are causing other folks to get involved. Compassion is contagious. These two ladies are leading the contagiousness of the Holy Spirit!
           The Hope Chest is a nonprofit organization and always in need of donations and support. They are a residential facility providing housing and all necessary needs of the women they serve.
You can reach them at:
The Hope Chest P.O. Box 645 Flagstaff, AZ 86006,
hopechestaz@gmail.com,
928-440- 3032.
If it's easier for you, please use our secure giving PayPal donation button below. We'll make sure that 100% of your donation goes directly to the Hope Chest. 
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#hopechestaz #beautifulwomanhood #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW