N o w f a i t h i s b e i n g s u r e o f w h a t w e h o p e f o r a n d c e r t a i n o f w h a t w e d o n o t s e e. ~ H e b r e w s 1 1 : 1 Families Building Faith s Newsletter Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heal that has crushed it. ~Mark Twain Volume 5, Issue 1 January 2014 What are you resolving to do in this New Year? On hearing this, Jesus said, It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. ~Matthew 9:12-13 Much talk among our Bible study post- Christmas has centered around events of the holidays, especially times when family gathers together. But in this processing there has been a marked change. Years past have contained stories of hurts or mishaps, but not so much this go around. Instead what I am seeing and hearing is a desire to process those typical family exchanges with a more internal/eternal view. Perhaps, one would call it a willingness to understand rather than to easily assign blame. Inside this issue: About FBF 2 This year as you engage in the practice of resolving to do things different in 2014, consider this: God desires mercy out of us more than sacrifice. Where in your life can you be more merciful? And Prayers January Calendar February Calendar 3 4 5 with whom? Answered Prayers Do you know 6 what it means, and are you willing to learn the difference Easter Details Our efforts 7 8 between sacrifice and mercy as Jesus seems to point out that we often confuse the two? Is it possible you live more of a life acting out the idea of sacrifice rather than offering mercy in a situation that is trying? Once learned, will you apply mercy to not only those who fit right into your life but also to those who you are less than comfortable with? Maybe it is with such learning that we can hold the most hope for 2014...for us, our loved ones, and the world that surrounds each of us. Apply this to those who are not your first choice... The Pharisees constantly tried to trap Jesus, and they thought His association with these low lifes was the perfect opportunity. They were more concerned with their own appearance of holiness than with helping people, with criticism than encouragement, with outward respectability than practical help. But God is concerned for all people, including the sinful and hurting ones. The Christian life is not a popularity contest! Following Jesus example, we should share the gospel with the poor, immoral, lonely, and outcast, not just the rich, moral, popular and powerful. ~NIV Life Application Study Bible, note to Matthew 9:12-13 SACRIFICE 1. To offer to God in homage or worship by killing and consuming 2. To destroy, surrender or suffer to be lost for the sake of obtaining something Noah Webster, ADEL, sacrifice.
I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice. ~Abraham Lincoln, www.brainyquotes.com Christmas helpers... He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven. ~Thomas Fuller, www.brainyquotes.com About FBF They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. ~Isaiah 61:3 Families Building Faith offers opportunities to grow in your own faith as well as to help grow someone else s. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as you read on: 1.) Variety. We have lots of ways to plug in, but please note that you do not need to help with them all. God has moved our hearts to help grow faith in people s lives in three primary ways: studies, service opportunities and fellowship/prayer. We warmly welcome you to plug in as it best suits your situation! 2.) Community. From 1.) Facebook. You can catch updates, prayer requests, outreach information in between the release of our monthly newsletter. Plug in to us at www.facebook/ familiesbuildingfaith. 2.) Sign Up Genius. This website is where we house all of our on-line the beginning, we envisioned a community based effort that draws people together to serve God and others. What you see on the pages ahead gives you the chance to be a part of what God is doing through FBF. sign-ups. In the signups are the details of how you can participate. You select the times, dates and/ or how you would like to help. To check out it, you must email us and let us know to send you an invite. 3.) Email. You are al- 3.) Collections. Depending upon the time of year, we collect a variety of items to pass on to others-in-need! The things you were once blessed by but now may be able to bless another. We just ask that whatever you pass along be in EXCELLENT condition unless otherwise noted in our newsletter or flyer. Please always note the collection dates! They are often limited in time as we RARELY collect something year round. Christmas collections are limited to Christmas; Easter to our Easter Basket Collection. Please know that we do not have room to store items long term! If you are outside our season, hold it in your storage space or pass it along to the Salvation Army. 4.) Volunteering. There are lots of ways to help out. You can pray; you can collect; you can give your time with our sorts, assemblies, or delivery opportunities that coincide with our collections. These experiences are often for short periods of time and allow you hands-on with a project that will bless another. 5.) Ultimate Goal. The primary goal of FBF is to plant, build, grow, refresh and renew the faith of all who are willing to see the amazing things God does when we come together for the glory of His Name! Ways to keep in touch with FBF happenings ways welcome to email your questions, ideas or comments at: familiesbuildingfaith@yahoo.com 4.) We are currently building a web site for FBF s happenings. Here s the address: http://familiesbuildingfaith.com Page 2 Volume 5, Issue 1
Prayers for others... For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. ~Luke 19:10 For those who are faithful in prayer, please keep the following held close: Kathy, as she lost her husband of 40 years right before Christmas. Prayers for healing, willingness, trust, faith and hope. Roy, as he awaits heart surgery. Prayers for a willing mind, an ability to see what God wants him to understand, and for good doctors to help repair the weakened areas of his heart. Lisa, for a softening to who God really is and less focus on herself. A young man battling cancer. May God open doors for him so that he may have more time. Barb as she awaits more information about breast cancer. May God go before her and grant her peace during her treatment. Jan, Michelle s aunt, for good doctors, for a slowing of her physical decline and for hope as she battles cancer near her spine. Special prayers for her children and her husband who are frightened of the journey that lie ahead. For a young woman who is currently battling cancer of the brain. Surgery was performed in the end of December and they are going back in soon to remove more that they found. Please keep her in your earnest prayers. For all those on our previous prayer lists as they are still struggling: Julia, Joann, Mary Ann, Dwayne, Carol, Peter and the many others that have graced us with the blessing of praying for them. For FBF... Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. ~Acts 10:34-35 Our world... You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. ~Acts 10:36 Prayers for all those who are alone without the love and comfort of a family...may hearts open to God s Families Building Faith s Newsletter Please hold us in your prayers as you see fit. Prayers for inspiration, organization, and motivation on how best to set up and begin our Easter Basket Collection. call to take them in. Prayers for all those in families where abuse and mistreatment abound; may their hearts not harden to Special prayers for the homeless in this cold. Prayers asking God to move hearts to join us in this endeavor. Prayers for donations and volunteers so many may be encouraged this Easter. Until the great mass of people shall be filled with the same sense of responsibility for each other s welfare, social justice can never be attained. ~Helen Keller, www.brainyquotes.com the sin and pain that surrounds them but instead soften to how God can effect change in them for the betterment of their lives, the lives that surround them and the world in general. Prayers for those lost in the religion of judgment, pride, jealously, complacency, competitiveness, dislike, or what is best for me and those that benefit or represent me, may we pray that their hearts be humbled and their paths straighten so that they may realize fully their, and our, need for the Lord. Page 3
January 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Schedule of Events Bible Study/Discussion, Thursdays at Wednesday, January 15th, Sandwich Making, 4:30-5:30pm Easter Preps: Sat. Jan 18th, 9-11am Fri. Jan 24th & Fri. Jan 31st, 9:30-noon. Mon. Jan 27th 6-7:30pm Ladies Bible Study 1 2 Bible 5 6 7 8 9 Bible 12 13 14 15 Sandwich Mkg, 4:30pm 16 Bible 19 20 21 22 23 Bible 26 27 Easter Prep, 6pm 28 29 30 Bible 3 4 10 11 17 18 Easter prep, 9am 24 Easter Prep, 9:30- noon 31 Easter Prep, 9:30- noon 25 When: Thursdays, -12:30pm Where: Michelle s Who: Anyone who wants to draw closer to God and to those seeking to know Him better. As you move into the new year, consider joining us on Thursday mornings as we move through a variety of Scripture that guides us on how to process through the events of life. There is generally no homework and we do not have any rigid schedules. Flexibility in our weekly discussion allows for us to move with less expectation and more openness for applying God s Word to our lives. We warmly encourage you to give our Thursday morning discussions a try. The unfolding of Your words gives light ~Psalm 119:130 Sandwich Making Dates: Wednesday, January 15th Wednesday, February 12th Times: 4:30-5:30pm Where: The Murphy s Consider joining us to make sandwiches for the homeless of the Cass Corridor. All you need to bring is some loaves of bread, bologna and slices of cheese. Watch for good deals as much of it will go on sale for $1 a piece. Kids are welcome but those under 5th grade must work hand-inhand with an accompanying adult. And as always, bring an eager heart and willing hands! Easter Prep Dates: Listed above Times: Varying Where: The Murphy s We, and so many others, are excited about this coming Easter and making baskets. But the fun starts long before the assemblies! We have to get our system up and running in order to build. That is what our Easter Prep times are all about! There will be sorting and all sorts of tasks to get the basement ready. We would love any help with the process so check out the dates and see if you can lend a joy-filled hand! Page 4 Volume 5, Issue 1
February 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Schedule of Events 2 3 4 Easter Prep, 6pm 9 10 11 12 Sandwich Mkg, 4:30pm 16 17 Easter Assembly, 6pm 23 24 Easter Assembly, 6pm 5 6 Bible 13 Bible 18 19 20 Bible 25 26 27 Bible 7 Easter Assembly, 6pm 14 15 21 Easter Prep, 9:30am 28 1 Easter Prep, 9am 8 Easter Assembly, 9am 22 Bible study/discussion Thursdays at Easter Preps: Sat. Feb 1st Tues. Feb 4th Fri. Feb 21st Easter Assemblies: Fri. Feb 7th Sat. Feb 8th Mon. Feb 17th Mon. Feb 24th Sandwich Making, Wed. Feb. 12th Easter Basket Assemblies Dates & Times: Listed above Where: The Murphy s In faith, we are opening up a few slots to make Easter baskets in February! It will grow quiet towards the end of the month, and then gear up again in early March. Our sign-ups for sorting and assembly will be available at our Sign-Up Genius database by the end of January. You are welcome to pop in, but do please call first. Kids are welcome to build, but if they are in 5th grade or below, they will need an accompanying adult to help them with their baskets. Groups are welcome to sign up together. If you have younger participants that require an adult to help them, you can count each set as one unit when signing up. Please also note that we only accept help from those with smiling faces and excited hearts as those with willing and eager attitudes know best how to build the baskets! At Home Jobs Each year, we offer a variety of jobs that you and your loved ones can do at home to help us with this outreach. Here are some of the jobs that are available. There will also be a sign up on-line. If you have any questions or can t access our database, please give Michelle a call. Ribbon Cutter (we give you the ribbon and a master length, and you cut as many as you can); Sticker Tearer (we provide the stickers; you tear the roll apart to make them individual); Scripture Cutter (we provide sheets with Scripture verses and you cut them out individually; can be done with a large cutter); Stuffed Animal Caretaker (we will provide stuffed animals that might need a wash or a stitch to you and you return them all better); Egg Prepper (stuffing plastic Easter eggs with jelly beans); More jobs will be listed as we move towards March. All items will be left on our front porch for pick up and can be returned within a week or two. Please keep these jobs in your prayers! Families Building Faith s Newsletter Page 5
[T]he gifts provided are physical reminders of a caring and loving community that the Lord has sent to bring them encouragement and love in this tangible way. Then the word of God spread ~Acts 6:7 This is year number 6 for you and your family/friends blessing those locked up and we send our profound gratitude for what you have done this year as well as all those Christmases past. Please pass on our sincerest gratitude to all who have made this possible again this year. You and your team s provision compromise a significant amount of items presented to the various facilities we serve. Without you Christmas time around the detention centers would be pretty bleak. We can t thank you enough for all of this bounty as adequate words just are not there. Cupcakes, cookies, games & puzzles: what an We thought we should share a few of the answered prayers we saw. ~Bob Kirby Answered Prayers A thank you note We were notified of 3 local families who had fallen on hard times. One mom wanted a purse. While looking through part of our Easter pile, we found a beautiful one that turned out to be perfect for her! As we were completing a bag of a person who was not adopted, we needed just one more special item. Searching the shelves, we couldn t find a thing that seem to fit. After a little prayer and a nudge to look in a laundry basket full of donations that had just come in, there under a few things was a little white box. Inside was a beautiful new necklace with a silver snowflake pendant. What an answer! A monetary donation came in at just the right time to allow us to purchase items for some of our adoptees! Only God in His perfect timing as we didn t even know we were in need when outpouring of love. All of these things will be enjoyed by the residents of Calumet and Lincoln Centers as well as others noted below. The splendid variety will surely be a delight. You and your family/friends did a wonderful job and are to be highly commended for this outstanding effort which speaks volumes about loving and caring for others even though we do not know who they are, but God knows. Looking at and delivering all these blessings stand me in total awe of what you do. We are aware of the good work you do in providing for the donation was handed to us! That afternoon we realized it and stood in amazement at how He works! Both of Sweet Treat Drives had extra cake decorators at them! Both times they were finished and cleaned up by 7pm. And praying that we could go farther, over 2800 baked goods/ cupcakes were made. That helped the prison youth ministry add another facility! A donation of Kroger cards came in such that a gift card was given to most of the adoptees for our This was just December 16th s Sweet Treat event many other ministries as well as ours; well done good and faithful servants! As we have mentioned before, many of our youth have no idea what an honest to goodness homemade cupcake or cookie tastes like; it is a first for them. Our detained residents continue to be awestruck by the bounty provided and often ask why people like you do this for them. We always have an answer letting them know of God s love and caring for them. Bob & Jennie Kirby, Directors of Incarcerated Youth Ministries. Santa s Helpers program! What a blessing!! Each Saturday morning in December we were blessed by eager and joyful volunteers who helped wrap, ribbon and package our Just 4 One bags even through snow and ice! We were blessed by a multitude of volunteers to help make Christmas baskets and were able to cover Brown s ministries, GUIDE the grandparent program, and Life Choices in Detroit as well as our programs through Active Faith! Page 6 Volume 5, Issue 1
Easter Basket Collection Prayer 2014 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners to comfort all that mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. ~Isaiah 61:1, 3 Think about it! Each of us has the ability the privilege you might say to reach into another person s life and bring them good news. Even if it is for only moment that relief, that joy, may raise them above their pile of ashes or lift their spirits out of the great sadness they feel. The spirit of despair engulfs many a child whose stomach grumbles with hunger or whose homes are truly only empty houses Families Building Faith s Newsletter with little to no praise or love. You and I, together, have the opportunity this winter to bring joy to a child or an adult in the gift of a simple Easter basket adorned with items to delight. With this endeavor, we ask, first and foremost, that you lift this collection, the Murphy household, the volunteers, the donors, the faithful and those who are in need need of help and in need of being a help, in your prayers. Please ask God to move hearts, including ours, to do all that He needs so that we may reach those He desires for us to encourage and inspire. Please ask Him to help us spread the word both near and far so those who are His or who want to be His can know of His mighty works. May you also lift up those who give their time that their schedules clear, their hearts rejoice and their troubles fall away. For those struggling emotionally or financially, may God help us to help them this Easter. For those who can give, may they give with the right hearts and the right motives...not for what they Easter basket Collection Details for 2014 The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly. ~Isaiah 60:22 FBF s Easter Basket Collection 2014 will start February 1st and run through April 11th. This means you can drop off any items that we can use to build Easter baskets during that time. Assembling will begin in early February with the most opportunities to help available in March and early April. Our flyer will be out with the February newsletter. Please pass the word along! Here are some ideas of what we can use: can gain but to truly share what they have been blessed with. Please pray that God help to establish and maintain the drive that our local Dollar Tree has done for us in years past. May their upper management realize not only the financial blessing to their store but also the blessing that they get by taking part. May God help move the hearts of the customers to see and understand how they can make a difference in the life of another. May all that we do be for the glory of Him. May no credit fall to us for the gifts and abilities He has given so that His perfect will may be done. This winter and spring, may He grant us the ability to bestow beauty, gladness and praise to all those in need of it. I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever. ~Thomas Jefferson Easter & wicker baskets; Easter grass (new); candy of any kind; stuffed animals & beanies; new plastic Easter eggs; smaller-medium size toys for infants through middle school; school supplies; costume jewelry; trinkets like Matchbox cars, erasers, bouncy balls, stickers, etc; books for all ages; bubbles; coloring books; crayons; pencils; small size play-doh; sidewalk chalk Toiletries, tea cups, tea bags, soft cover books, magazines (please no trashy); household items; guys stuff; coffee mugs; jewelry; picture frames, kitchen supplies and dish clothes; scarves; purses; nail polish; etc... Page 7
Families Building Faith Fellowship s Mission The mission of FBF is to help those involved walk stronger with Jesus Christ through building a network of believers who are striving to know Him better, to live out His Word, and to joyfully and lovingly fulfill His command to serve others while trusting Him to equip us with all that is needed to go where He leads. We warmly welcome those who have faith in Christ as well as those who just don t know where they stand as we understand that there are various points on the path to knowing Him. What FBF offers is a chance to come alongside us and see how God is encouraging lives to trust Him more. Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ~Matthew 7:24 FBF s Contact Address: c/o 1096 Cantor Lane South Lyon, MI 48178 Phone Number to call: 248.486.3172 Ask for: Michelle or Mark Email: familiesbuildingfaith@yahoo.com Turn right into the first entrance of Trotter s Pointe. You will follow Equestrian all the way to its end and it will turn sharply to the left and become Cantor. There is a cul-desac there with the street signs at the turn We are on 1096 Cantor Lane, not Equestrian. Please don t drop our items at 1096 Equestrian! We are down more than 1/2 way on the right side of Cantor, and will have a Snoopy flag flying. We are the second house with a large white front porch. The plastic bunny will be out of February 1st as well as a sign on our front door. Our efforts How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? ~John 5:44 You might want to take a moment to ponder that Scripture, applying it to your own life. How many people do you make an effort to please daily, weekly, or in the hundreds of moments that make up your life? Your spouse, your children, your boss, your friends, your parents...the list seems a bit daunting but most likely, you are putting forth an effort to receive praise from another. Now stop and compare how often you make the same effort with God? Let s take a look at some of the words in that Scripture and see if they can expand our vision for what is being said. Make is the verb in this sentence. It means to bring into existence by shaping or changing materials or combining parts. To produce; cause to exist or happen; to cause to be; to give rise to; to produce, earn or win for oneself...to bring together separate parts so as to produce a whole. www.dictionary.com. Effort is next and it is the exertion of physical or mental power; an earnest or strenuous attempt; something to be done by hard work. Some synonyms are attempt, battle, energy, stretch, exercise, pains, pull, resolution, labor, etc. Id. With the words make and effort we can discern that there is a reason for the push that we are encouraged to give...and that is to obtain the praise that comes from the only God. Obtain means to come into possession of; get, acquire or procure as through ef- Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. ~Corrie Ten Boom fort or request. Synonyms include achieve, capture, drum up, earn, effect, gain, reach, realize, reap, secure, procure. Id. Investigating a little further, praise means the act of expressing approval. It can includes appreciation, cries, devotion, recognition and thanks. Interestingly, it is the opposite of blame, condemnation and criticism. So, my friend, what about you? Can you start the New Year making a more purposeful effort to gain the approval of God more than from those around you? Will you ask yourself what believing is really all about? Is it the pleasing of others to gain praise for who you are trying to be, or rather putting in the elbow grease to gain and capture the truth of His word and instruction in your life? Are you willing to truly strive with earnest effort to obtain His pleasure and admiration in 2014?