JESUS CARES MINISTRIES

    "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Unless the LORD had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence."
                                                                                                                         - Psalm 94:16-17

Dear Ones,

    I was recently reading a heart stirring sermon from Tarkington Family Ministries about the church rising up and going through the doors of opportunity He is opening for us. My mind thought about the often quoted scripture in Isaiah 6:8

"... Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."

    Many have quoted this scripture in reference to foreign missions, but when examining the context, it is clear that the mission field God was referring to was the nation of Israel and the Word He had for them would lead to blindness, deafness, dullness, and desolation!!!! How can this be? How can a Word from God lead to utter destruction as described in Isaiah 6:10-12? The people had rejected the law of God. Steeped in idolatry they followed after their hearts desire. God needed someone to declare their final doom. How's that for a glorious ministry? I've wondered how difficult it must have been for Isaiah to accept this unpopular message that would bring him at the very least, persecution and rejection. Precious Ones, in the last newsletter, we spoke of waiting for the prodigal. Many of you have prodigals in your life and many of you may be weary of taking a stand against their unholy activities. Your souls are tempted to "settle in silence", as I am sure Isaiah might have been tempted when encountering the difficulties of his mission and calling. God is calling forth many of our day to take a stand against the evildoers. We can not fear what the message will bring forth. We can not be swayed by the compromise of those that would tip toe around the unrighteousness in the church. We cannot fear the hard hearted, or the result of this kind of preaching upon their hearts. We can only allow God to touch our lips, purge our sin and preach and live with fervency the message He is declaring. Our nation needs more Isaiahs. We need those whose lips have been cleansed and whose eyes have seen the King. God promised he would never cast off his inheritance. This kind of preaching will bring forth the precious from the vile (Jeremiah 15:19). It will cause judgment to return to righteousness and the upright in heart to follow it. (Psalm 94:12-19 ) It will bring bold preaching to the church, giving opportunity for man to forsake his evil ways. It will drive away those bent on evil, and equip the remnant to return and give honor to the King of Kings. Don't fear this message. Don't shrink from its effects. Rise up! Stand up! God will show up beloved and doors of opportunity will be open!

    Will you help us Stand????

    We are asking for those interested in presenting a seminar to equip the church as we reach out to those caught up in the evils of pornography to contact us at 480 831 1737.
Turning over a new life...

    Alyse has been blessed. She came to us several months ago. I have watched as different individuals have quietly offered their gifts of love to this woman. One young woman brought over an outfit that she had worn when she was pregnant and a gift bag of Mary Kay make up, another volunteer gave her a make over and new hairdo. A family opened their home to her for a weekend with each child in the home making her feel welcome and then offering a ticket to a special tea honoring purity at their church. Others showed their love with gentle hugs and sincere smiles and still others have demonstrated the faithfulness of God as they got on their knees on her behalf. With a strong support system around her and her mom during this ashes turned beauty experience, we will watch on with joy as she places her child for adoption with a family she has chosen to raise her child.. For this baby, the love and security of a Christian family will be a key to many opportunities and for this courageous birth mother, this will mean a purposeful choosing to surrender. Some people turn over a new leaf... but at Jesus Cares... we like to turn over a new life. 
    Ghislaine is 19 and working very hard to become a Godly mother. She will deliver her baby in early August and at this time is planning to transition to another program after her stay at Jesus Cares. She was trained by Job Corp and is making efforts to provide a healthy home for her baby. Pray for Jeffrey, the father of her baby to understand the love of God. Pray for Ghislaine to continue to grow in His love and hear his voice.

Last words from the bachelor....
    As many of you know, Mike and Grizel have settled in Puerto Rico for an extended period of time. Shortly before he tied the knot, he sent this article for the newsletter. Hope you are stirred by these sobering thoughts from him.
    I've read an excellent book by John Bevere called Driven by Eternity. It's very sobering and challenging. I believe this message is desperately needed by the body of Christ today - particularly in the United States! I highly recommend it! The lessons taught in this book correlate very closely to some events I experienced recently. It caused me to consider the life of a person whom I began to know over the past year through a series of tragic circumstances! 
    Neil was the alcoholic coworker I confronted about his failing health and need for hospital treatment. He chose to admit himself and received treatment for about a week before being released. He was sent home to die because there was little the doctors could do to help him! Neil chose not to disclose the fact he was dying. A couple months later his wife phoned Neil's former supervisor while crying frantically. She informed him that Neil was in hospice and was expected to live only 24 hours. This occurred on Thursday, December 7th. I was very troubled because I knew Neil was not prepared to enter eternity. That night I prayed asking the Lord to sustain his life long enough for someone to share the salvation message of Christ with him! God is merciful and perhaps may grant him one last opportunity to be saved. The following Monday on the eleventh, I asked my supervisor if there was any news concerning Neil. There was none. I asked him to request the location of the hospice if Neil's wife called to inform him that he was still living. She did call later to inform him that Neil was alive and he retrieved the information. Later that evening I left to visit Neil at the hospice location. 
    His ex-wife, son and daughter in law were at his bedside. I introduced myself as Neil's friend and co-worker. For some reason his ex-wife asked me if I was a pastor. After I said yes, she asked to speak with me privately. She informed me that they Neil and her had 4 children but 2 refused to come see him because of bitter feelings due to his drinking. How unimaginably sad I thought? This same man had once told me, "A child is a basket to be filled not a candle to be lit!" He had insight into children and he loved them, yet, the life of alcoholism he chose had been a very selfish and unloving life. Now, as he lay dying two of his own children were unwilling to express love to their dying father! 
    One son had taken a flight from Texas but most likely would arrive too late. This was Neil's boy, Danny! Neil was very proud of him and had shared with me a newspaper clipping about him becoming a rodeo champion! Sadly, Danny didn't arrive in time to say good-bye to his Dad. 
    The ones who were there seemed open and receptive as I shared with them the gospel message of Christ. I challenged them to read the Bible and search out the claims of Jesus Christ! Next, I requested and was granted their permission to also share the same message with Neil as I offered prayer on his behalf. Neil was laboring severely for each breath. He was so frail and sick that he looked nearly unrecognizable. In that moment, I wished every alcoholic man I had ever tried to help could see the end result of the devastating consequences of alcohol. It had ravaged this man's body as well as his family and friends! It had caused extreme pain and needless devastation! The anger I felt was every bit as real as the grief I was experiencing! 
    Neil appeared to be in an almost coma-like state. I trusted that somehow he would hear and comprehend what I intended to say to him. I shared the gospel message of REPENTANCE. I explained that although he was unable to respond, God would forgive him if he cried out in the depths of his heart for the mercy and forgiveness offered through Jesus. As I began to pray for him, Neil's face suddenly had a severe expression of sorrow. He began to cry although no tears came forth! It was clearly evident that the gospel message of REPENTANCE was impacting him greatly! The sorrow and contrition displayed on his countenance despite the severity of his dying condition astonished me. I believe Neil cried out to God for mercy and Christ's forgiveness during those moments. I experienced peace as I thanked God for the opportunity to share the love of Christ with Neil. 
    A few days later I attended Neil's memorial service. Neil essentially died from complications due to liver failure. Alcohol had ended his life tragically and abruptly! He was only 54 years old. 
    Now he was gone. Really, there are no happy drunks! Nor are there happy endings for the life of an alcoholic. There were no amusing anecdotes to be told at his memorial! The cloud of tragedy loomed large over the sanctuary! Drinks on the house? Those and many others had caused his house - his home, to collapse prematurely!!! How many others become like Neil because they refuse to recognize the plight of evil that alcohol causes within our society. 
    Once the service was completed the family had a compilation of music played that Neil had enjoyed. In a strange twist of poetic irony, the first song played was "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffet. The song seemed almost an anthem for so many in Neil's condition! I listened closely to the lyrics. "Wasting away again in Margaritaville. Searching for my lost shaker of salt. Some people say that there's a woman to blame. But I know ... it's my own damn fault!" 
    So many alcoholics often blame their wives for the misery they experience as they waste a way. But, the song echoes the reality of their own creation. It's their "own damn fault!" And literally it was so for Neil. He chose a life of hell by making the choice to drink! Christ's shed blood offers sinners forgiveness for all sin including drunkenness. Jesus Christ alone offers true freedom with comfort and relief from this sin! 
    Experiencing life with an alcoholic as I have so often in my own life has been very heart wrenching! However, I'm grateful for every person who responds in repentance and faith. But, for those who choose otherwise it is very grievous for many others as well.
                                                                                                    article by Mike Lawyer 

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." 
                                                            - Habakkuk 2:14    

    We have been blessed to offer various teachings and classes for the girls in the home , as well as men and women in Aftercare and individuals in Community Outreach. We have presented our children's seminar: "Children: Our Heritage", our abstinence based teachings entitled, "Purity Class" which includes the series by Lisa Bevere, "Kissed the Girls and Made them Cry".
    More recently we are facilitating a group of people through the Lifeway Press series, "Making Peace With Your Past". We also have two complete series by the Bill Gothard Institute that we are able to offer. We will continue to provide opportunity to any wanting to participate and ask that you contact Doreen @ 480 831 1737 to become involved in any of the classed mentioned.
    We are planning to start another series on child training in the middle of May. Please contact Doreen at the number above if you would like to sign up. The class is offered free of charge and will be about 90 minutes of class time per week for seven weeks. 
    We are also grateful for the individualized classes offered by several volunteers. Cindy has offered a special class that is included in our Purity Series, Jenny has private consultations on nutrition, Pat has taught Childbirth classes and Stef and Linda provide doula services including prenatal classes. We are grateful to Tracey from Signature Salon Studios for offering a class in make up demonstration and hair styling. The many hearts that are reaching out to those we minister to are the many ways God is showing His amazing love for them.
    Thank you to our Project:Care and Share representatives who keep the vision alive in their churches and bring lots of goodies and blessings our way along with providing a strong base of prayer support for this ministry. For all that keep this ministry covered in fervent prayer, your labor of love is immeasurable to me. Thank you to all that provide food and clothing...You keep us warm and well fed. Thank you to Western Glove and Safety for keeping us clean... Thank you to my daughters for providing house parent relief.. you are keeping us sane.. Thank you to all for loving and serving. Let me end with this verse that echoes the heart of our volunteers...