Meet Walt.

Tonight at Refuge of Hope (a shelter for homeless men that also provides free meals to the community 6 nights a week) we served a record 207 people. To me this a very bittersweet fact. It stinks to know that so many people are in need in our Canton community, but amazing to know that God's people are meeting those needs for so many people in a very real way.

And as amazing as it was to be able to see 207 people get the help they so desperately need, my biggest joy came from meeting 1 man by the name of Walt.

Walt's story is a tale of redemption, restoration, and of one man giving all he's got for the benefit of others.

About 7 years ago Walt was a normal middle class guy with a family, until one day when he found out that his wife was doing crack cocaine behind his back. Out of a broken heart and a deep love for his wife, Walt found himself trying the drug and eventually getting hooked. Over the next few years all of their money went towards supporting his drug and alcohol addictions, until he found himself and his family broke and without a home.

To make matters worse Walt has several health problems, including degenerative disk disease in his back, which makes it hard for him to get around or even move sometimes.

No way the story ends there though, not with our mighty and loving God in the picture. Just when he was at his worst moments, Walt moved into one of the 34 beds at Refuge of Hope where the staff and the other men in the shelter gave him the accountability, love, and grace he needed.

Today Walt is 2 1/2 years sober and finds himself teaching others and sharing his testimony in hopes that they will learn from his mistakes and avoid the traps that force people into homelessness. He told me that he regularly gives seminars at the Canton Department of Job & Family Services to young kids where he teaches them what it takes to stay off the streets and away from drugs, and where he shares the saving work of his Lord Jesus Christ.

Not only that, but he also gives back his time by helping at every Refuge dinner service and by taking the men of the shelter with him to church. Walt is a leader amongst the people and is a daily example to many that God can heal and restore all things.

I was absolutely blown away talking to Walt. To hear about how much he is physically held back and how he still gives every ounce of himself to the work of God is incredible.

Walt has very little to give both financially and physically, but gives every  bit of himself to God.  As someone who is young, healthy, and who has been given many blessings, that challenges me in a very profound way. If Walt can give it all to Christ with the little he has, how much more should we be giving? Should we not use every ounce of our strength for the kingdom as well?

May you be encouraged by Walt's story, and may it challenge you to give every ounce of your life to the God who gave his for us. God loves you immeasurably more than you could ever know, our response to that should be nothing short of our all.

Meet Tanya.

I want to tell you a story about my friend Tanya.

Tanya is a single mom with 6 kids who works full time as a homecare nurse for people struggling with various types of sickness.  Almost everytime we have a Laundry Love Project she brings loads and loads of laundry from her clients houses and takes the opportunity to get a few outfits washed for her kids in addition to the people she takes care of.

Today at the Laundry Love Project she made us aware of the fact that the dryer at her house broke down, leaving her with no option to wash her kids clothes other than spending money at the laundromat.

Well it just so happened that we had a dryer we were looking to donate to someone, and who better to give it to than a single mom with 6 kids who works full time taking care of others?

So thats exactly what we did. We picked up the dryer and delivered it to her house today. If that wasnt enough of a God thing, it turns out that a house me and a few friends spent time fixing up as part of a service project is the very same house that Tanya lives in. So not only did we catch her at a great time of need in her life today, but we had a past relationship with her and her family and didnt even realize it!

You should have seen the look on her face when we told her we were giving her that dryer, you would think we were giving her a million dollars from the excitement she had.

Praise God for this amazing story and for his divine timing. This is why we do the Laundry Love Project, because it gives us the chance to connect with real people and help them in significant ways. We are called to be agents of Gods grace and love, and thats exactly what we had the opportunity to do today.

I talked to Tanya and I want to gather some people to go help her clean up her yard and take care of her house since she doesnt have the time. If you would like to be apart of that let me know.

Thank you for believing in the Laundry Love Project and in Love Canton. It's real stories of love like this that are perfect examples of how God moves when his church is faithful to our calling to love in real, practical ways.

Restore My Victory.

Redemption may feel like a long way from home
but I've only myself to blame.
Decision is haunting everywhere I go.
and it's driving me insane

With pressure he comes
and with pressure he leaves
no more room, nowhere
for me to grieve

With those lies he comes
with my heart he leaves
no more room, no air
for me to breathe

If they only heard my whisper
how I long to be
maybe the darkness
would settle in me

If they felt my memories
understood my loss
maybe the power
would be restored to the cross

With pressure he comes
with pressure he leaves
no life left in these bones

With those lies he comes
oh how he tortures me
leaving me out on my own

Tell me I'm safe
Lead me on home
Restore my victory
bring me out of the cold

Redemption may feel like a long way from home
I've only myself to blame.
I want to let the truth inside so bad
I think I'll be glad it came.

Beyond the Ordinary

Nobody gives a second look when we are content to go about our daily routines and fit in with the status quo. But when people do something beyond themselves, something beyond the ordinary, it is worth all of our attention.

I want to make you aware of something that deserves your attention.

Check out the amazing story of my friend Jon Detweiler and his cousin Ben as they travel nearly 2,500 miles in a canoe to raise money for orphans and starving children in Africa, as well as money to equip and train pastors in the region.

Here is where you can find out about this amazing trip that will start this Sunday August 14th:  http://www.sugar2salt.com/

Support them anyway you can.

Wow.

If you aren't already aware, there is a story in circulation right now about an incredible 9 year old girl in Seattle named Rachel. You see, instead of asking for presents for her 9th birthday, Rachel had the simple idea to raise $300 for people in the world without clean water. This money would give 15 people clean water.

Tragically, 2 weeks ago, Rachel died in a car accident. However, since then, her campaign has raised over $750,000 and has already given clean water to more than 39,000 people!

I am absolutely stunned by this story.

you can check out more by going to http://www.charitywater.org/blog/rachel-update/

I strongly encourage you to give to her campaign. Her heart for others and willingness to sacrifice has changed countless lives around the world.

No matter what your age, or perceived abilities, through the power of Christ we can truly be agents of love and reconciliation in this world. This little girl is an absolute inspiration.