This was our lesson from the Sunshine Rescue Mission for Tuesday June 15, 2021. We examined the way Jesus never held a grudge against folks like us. He cooked filled their fishing nets and cooked them breakfast.
          The homeboys were out fishing. Probably still feeling lost without Jesus leading and feeding them everyday. We’re not sure if they went fishing to stay occupied or they were hungry. A fisherman faces rejection with every cast of with every setting of the net. Jesus had been abandoned, rejected and denied by these fishermen, but He still cooked them breakfast.
​          Here’s the story from John 21:1-14 “ “Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.
Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was.
He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.
Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!”
So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.
Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.
The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said.
So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore.
There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.
Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said.
None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.
This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21:1-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬
          Rejection and abandonment by friends will happen, don't let it affect who you are as a compassionate believer in Christ. Life has a way of tempting us to corrupt our character. God has forgiven your faults. Don't let the devil help you create a spiral of shame that makes you think you are an unworthy loser incapable of being redeemed by His love.
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesu loves you and so do we.

          Unless you saw the smiles on the kids faces or you heard them ask when we'd visit them again. Unless you heard men speak from their hearts about how much this positively impacts the rest of their lives. It's hard to understand what's happening here. I was there, and I've been there many times - I still struggle to describe what God does to people through simple things. How can children and water balloons change the hearts of men? 
          The kids requested water balloons. The folks who take care of the kids asked for fresh fruits and vegetables. There's always the unspoken desire to bring the Bouncy House. All of those desires are simple and easy to fulfill, but it wasn't any worldly item that brought fulfillment. The desire to serve was met by a powerful surge of smiling gratitude and laughing children. 
          Guys from the Sunshine Rescue Mission bring their generous hearts to the NAOMI House on the last Saturday of every month. They look forward to it. Last week there was only three of us, but there's no way way to count the number of satisfied smiles on the NAOMI property. Danny and Edwin are "Extra-Mile" guys. They always go beyond what's necessary. They enlarge the smiles on kids faces.

• With their own money they buy what's needed.
• They plan and set goals.
• They wash and clean the grill.
• Load, unload and set up the Bouncy House.
• Make fruit salads.
• Donated the grill (with the help of Danny's Mom!)
• Grilled brats - bratwurst :-)
• Bought and filled tons of water balloons.
• They got soaked by kids with big water guns!
• Sat down and shared a meal with a lot of kids.
• Sometimes they do service projects.
• The greatest thing they do is form relationships with kids and make them feel loved and valued.

          They do all these things because of the way God reaches through these kids to fill their hearts. One man said that, "One day with the kids at NAOMI can help me get through a whole month worth of aggravations." We think more guys would be a part of this outreach if they knew how much peace they'd feel afterwards.
          Here's a few comments from guys who've served at NAOMI over the last year and a half. We hope these words will serve as a light to other men and women looking for ways to feel fulfillment in their lives.

• "Really enjoyed Naomi and can't wait to go back and paint."
• "Thx! I had a blast! Today brought  PEACE back in my heart and soul! Those kids hold a special place in my heart and I pray for them often. Thank you, Pastor Bob." 
• "They probably won't ever remember me, but it's a good thought and I always remember them. They did a better work to me and what I did in them. I was blessed to be a part of that and extremely privileged."
• "This will make my month believe it or not, it just does something for me." 
• "Yes sir it is good, glad the guys came. A little bit of volunteer work makes for a good and happy soul. And are excited about coming again."

          Lives are being changed in extraordinary ways by simple actions. We'd like to thank all of the organizations who helped collaborate and make these life changes possible. Sunshine Rescue Mission, Church For The Nations Flagstaff, NAOMI HOUSE, Compassion Ministries and Youth With A Purpose.
          The hallmark of success in a mentoring program is the ability to build healthy and sustainable relationships. We do that at SRM through our Mentoring Class. We teach Biblical knowledge as a Mentoring Application Tool. Please pray that we can continue to reach new men who come into the program and give them life changing opportunities like NAOMI.
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.

INCREDIBLE!
     OFF THE CHARTS!
          KNOCKED ARE SOCKS OFF!
          There’s no way we could describe how much fun we had with the kids at the NAOMI House! The guys did some work as they always do, but thanks to some gifts of squirt-fish from Miss Debbie at the Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage Flagstaff we all got soaked!
          Some folks would call these special fish - squirt guns, but we have a kinder, gentler name for them. We affectionately refer to them as "squirt-fish." Whatever you want to call them, they were the launching point for a day full of heart-smiles! 
          After lunch, the kids surprised us when they came out with super-soakers (super-sized squirt guns.) We each found increasingly creative ways to throw water at each other! The smiles were as wide, high, deep and long as the blue sky above us - and Christ’s love within us! We can’t wait to do it again!
          We're so grateful to Danny, Dave, Ryan and Leslie for sharing their hearts and making kids feel loved and making them smile. The more we work together in unity, the more we become family.
          We there as part of the YWAP Mentoring Program at the Sunshine Rescue Mission. The program is a collaboration between YWAP, SRM, Church For The Nations Flagstaff, Compassion Ministries. Some of the guys also attend Celebrate Recovery at CFTN.
          Mentoring and serving are lopsided cousins. You might think you're going to serve somebody, but the God turns the tables and the blessing falls onto your own head and your heart overflows with joyous gratitude. Only God could have envisioned this scenario.
FYI - SOMETHING TO PRAY FOR.
The gas grill bit the dust and they need a new one. We had to cook the sausages we brought for lunch in the oven.
(Bob doesn’t know how to cook on an oven - only a grill.)
Let us know if you have an extra or would like to help support the kids with a new one.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap4Revival #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
#CompassionMinistries
Church for the Nations - Flagstaff
Sunshine Rescue Mission
Youth With A Purpose Inc.
Celebrate Recovery Church For The Nations Flagstaff
Danny Hurst
Ryan Musgrove

          It's Comeback Week! The greatest comeback in the history of mankind is the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The greatest comeback in NFL history was led by a Quarterback for the Buffalo Bills named Frank Reich. The men at the Sunshine Rescue Mission are crafting their own comeback stories.
          The Crucifixion was a horrible form of torture and death. God used the worst the world had to offer and turned it into the best He could offer the world - His Son - Jesus Christ. God used His own Son to pay the price for our wrongful actions. Sometimes we call them sin. Our selfish behaviors hurt other people and cause us to be separated from God's love. 
          Jesus had to die so he could have a comeback. Being born again is like dying to yourself and accepting new life in Christ. The guys in the Sunshine Rescue Mission Disciple Program are learning how to die to themselves. Here's a great verses from the Bible that describes the process, 
          "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you,
          Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,
          it remains [just one grain;
          it never becomes more but lives]
                              by itself alone.
          But if it dies,
          it produces many others and yields a rich harvest."
John 12:24 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
​          The Frank Reich and the Buffalo Bills comeback story is based on the Jesus comeback story. Frank was pacing the sidelines as his team was being beaten badly by Houston Oilers. He wasn't studying a playbook. He had a song in his head that was carrying his heart. The song is called In Christ Alone by Shawn Craig, (music by Don Koch)
You can watch Michael English perform the song by clicking on this link: IN CHRIST ALONE
In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I've been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone, I overcome

Oh, I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hands
But these trophies could not equal
To the grace by which I stand

In Christ alone I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory let it be said of me
My source of strength, my source of hope is Christ alone

In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed
And only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness, to my need

Now I seek no greater honor
Than just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses
And to the glory of my Lord

In Christ alone I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory let it be said of me
My source of strength, my source of hope is Christ alone.

          We're all in different stages of redemption. We're all in different seasons of comeback lives. We don't get to the mountain of perfection with God on this side of heaven. Our source of hope and strength as we go through trials and temptations is Christ alone.
          SRM is acronym for the Sunshine Rescue Mission. In our Program called Strong Men Great Dads, we changed the acronym. SRM means Strong Resilient Men. We help each other when we fall. We hold each other accountable. We celebrate victories won. In Christ alone we stand as Strong Resilient Men. We help each other walk on the Comeback Trails of Life.
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          Marvin Johnson III, Teresa Sherwood  & Michelle are members of Compassion Ministries
at Church for the Nations - Flagstaff. They’re serving heart-smiles straight from the heart of God to a group of children.
They prepared & served Thanksgiving dinner to the kids and staff at NAOMI House. This is a special home where children who’ve fallen on hard times get to know God’s Love in special ways.
          For a few hours the children enjoyed a bounce house, games, good food, lot’s of smiles and prayer.
It was a beautiful collaborative effort by cftn.flagstaff, Sunshine Rescue Mission,  Compassion Ministries & YWAP.
(FYI - We’re going back to paint the children’s rooms on Dec. 5 if you’re interested.)​ 716-830-8240
#GoBeyondChurchWalls #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage Flagstaff
Youth With A Purpose Inc.Mentor Force
CLICK THIS LINK TO WATCH A SHORT MOVIE ABOUT THE CHILDREN AT NAOMI HOUSE.
​

​           In the Fall of 1985, the Lord called me to Arizona to work with Native American Children. Extreme trials and obstacles only increased my burden for them. Experiencing the pain of sexual abuse first hand, while living here, gave me a new insight and burden for these precious children. More than anyone I ever met, these innocent ones needed to know the healing love of Jesus Christ. N.A.O.M.I. was established in 1993, and we moved into our Children's Home in January of 1995.
          We are told that it takes a village to raise a child. However, when a child has been abused and wounded, it takes more than just one village—it takes many. NAOMI is one small village, working with many others to help hurt children recover from child abuse.
Native American children suffer from abuse at one of the most alarming rates in our country. Child Sexual abuse in Native America is both epidemic and holocaustic. 90% of the children that come to live at Naomi House are the victims of child molestation.
          My heart's desire, and the reason NAOMI exists, is to share the healing love of Jesus Christ, with hurting children that desperately need His healing touch. NAOMI was established as a non-profit home for abused and neglected Native American children and we moved into our present home in January of 1995.
          We strive to maintain an atmosphere that not only looks like home but also feels like home. We are a family. For the sake of the children, we avoid all appearances of institution and endeavor to be as culturally appropriate as possible.
          Meeting the diverse and complicated needs of sexually abused children as soon as they have been hurt enables them to heal and come to terms with their abuse. We aspire to help end child molestation one child at a time, by removing wounded children from the vicious cycle that led to their abuse.
N.A.O.M.I. is a non-denominational Christian Ministry. We minister primarily to Native American Children and their families. Our main thrust of ministry is the Children's Home we operate in Joseph City, Arizona.

          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.

          We had just started our morning session with the men at the Sunshine Rescue Mission. Our topic for the class was "Arrogance, Pride & Humility. Sometimes folks walking by stop on the sidewalk just outside the front windows to look in and listen. We always invite them in. Today a shoe-less guy took up our offer stepped inside the front door.
         His shoe-less-ness only became apparent after he began walking through the room. He walked along the back row of guys and they greeted him warmly. He said he needed shoes. One of the guys told him to have a seat and listen. He would get shoes after the class.
          You could call that an "act of compassion with responsibility." The shoe-less man listened intently during the rest of the class.Too often we just give physical things away without including a spiritual opportunity to know the Love of God behind the physical giving. 
          Our lesson examined the roots of arrogance, pride and fear. Addiction is an attempt to fill a void in our humanity. Only God's love can fill our hearts. Arrogance is a synonym for "I know it all," or "I know more than you." Pride will cause someone in a program to say "I don't need you, I've got this by myself."
         Humility is the antidote for the disease of arrogance. Humility has a peripheral vision with the ability to focus on the needs of others. Humility gives credit instead of taking credit. Our Key Bible verse for the day was Mark 7:20-23. 
"And Jesus said, “The things that come out of a man are the things that make him unclean. 21 All these evil things begin inside a person, in the mind: evil thoughts, sexual immorality, stealing, murder, adultery, 22 selfishness, doing bad things to other people, lying, doing sinful things, jealousy, saying bad things about people, pride, and foolish living. 23 All these evil things come from within a person. These things make a person unclean.”
          Jesus was having a discussion with religious leaders about cleanliness. The religious folks were questioning why the friends of Christ were not washing their hands. They were up to their usual shenanigans of trying to trap Jesus into breaking a religious law. You can follow the law. but still be lost and not follow Love. What's your motive behind your action?
          Many relationships, businesses and organizations are affected adversely by pride. We all have fissures in our character that will widen into an abyss of evil things.  Humility will see the penetrating gaze of God in examining our own personal habits. A great action word in scrutinizing our character is "motive." What is the motive in your heart for doing something? Do you do things for personal glory or to give God glory? 
          The shoe-less man had a motive to get some shoes. The guys at the Mission had a motive to give the man Love - God's Way. Their motive was a more excellent way that gave shoes with Love. We're proud of those guys at the Sunshine Rescue Mission! They went the extra mile to show a man Love. They went beyond normal. Their motive was rooted in humility and compassion.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.