Last Tuesday I saw many of the homeless licking their lips after eating wedding cake and drinking punch left over from a wedding function. Oh sure, we had plenty of good food but dessert was the highlight. Actually they attended a wedding reception in an indirect way. For most, this will be about as close as they will ever get to attending a fine function where family and friends get together to celebrate. Their family, in most cases, never had many happy occasions to celebrate. But tonight, we were all enjoying each other and celebrating a bride and groom we did not know.
Dan Peterson filled in for Paul tonight. His theme was God's Mercy. Of course, God's mercy primarily is His Son who died for our sins. We all recognize that is the most important mercy extended by God to a lost world. But he reminded everyone that God's mercy extends to every day circumstances. The building we occupy each Tuesday is Triune "Mercy" Center. A person on the street may be given a couple of dollars that allows them to buy a hamburger at McDonalds and rest in a cool or warm environment. That is mercy. Someone may get a room for the night at the Salvation Army or the Mission instead of sleeping on the street. That is mercy. Some may receive clothes or a blanket from many of the organizations that minister to the homeless. That is mercy too. We all receive mercy when we have received food, shelter, or clothes. If a homeless get a day job with Labor Finders, that again is God's mercy. Dan read from many Psalms that speak to God's mercy extended during trials and tribulations. In addition, he reminded us that in Matthew 5:7 that Jesus said "Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy". Even a homeless person can extend mercy by helping each other on the street and so doing they will receive mercy.
The numbers were up last Tuesday. We served 70 hot meals with the assistance of 24 volunteers.
~Marc
