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French Fries, Curly Fries and The Gospel |
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Tuesday, 13 March 2012 |
Once upon a time, God told a prophet of Israel that His thoughts were not man’s thoughts and His ways were not man’s ways. He went on to say that as the heavens are higher than the earth so are His ways and thoughts higher than our ways and thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-10 NLV)
I admit that I wasn’t really thinking much about those verses as I drove into central Washington to pick up a load of frozen French fries and Curly fries that had been donated. It did, however, cross my mind how extremely important donated products are to us and that a customer in our store had said to me, just the week before, “Dude, those are the best French fries. I come in once a week just to stock up!”
When you hear something like that it, it’s encouraging. It means we’re doing something right and people like it. When our store does well, selling things that people like, it helps us do our ministry. But in order to sell it you have to have it and usually that means you have to go get it. So, I fired up the Freightliner, hooked a 53’ Xtra Lease Reefer trailer to it and headed down the Columbia River Gorge to pick up the potatoes. Trust me, you can put a lot of fries in a big trailer like that, I mean a lot.
Now that I think about it I realize what a creative and awesome God directs this ministry. Who would have connected French Fries, Curly Fries and The Gospel? I never learned that in school. I never heard anyone say, “In order to help fund your ministry, be sure and keep lots of fries on hand!” Really? God’s thoughts and ways are higher, way higher, than anything man could dream. Even if we had dreamed it, would we have ever had the courage to voice it? Just think of that planning meeting…
“Anyone have any ideas how we can fund our ministry with new sources of income?”
“Yes, there at the back, yes, do you have an idea to suggest”
“Well, it may seem a little crazy, but I was wondering if we could sell French Fries and Curly Fries?”
When God says His thoughts and ways are higher than ours, He means it. They really are. His ultimate purpose is to show the world, His love. He proved it by sending His only Son, Jesus, to live and die and pay the price for our redemption. And, He did it His way. Now, we have the opportunity to take that Good News to Native Americans, knowing that once again He is doing it in a way that is higher than anything we could have ever dreamed…using French Fries and Curly Fries to pay the way.
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Wednesday, 29 February 2012 |
By donating your cell phone to Frontier Missions through Recycling for Charities, you are performing a true service to both the environment as well as Frontier Missions.
Step 1: Collect Old Wireless Cell Phones, PDA's, iPods or Digital Cameras
Those who wish to make a phone donation can initiate the process by simply collecting any sort of unused cellular phone, PDA, Palm Pilots, digital cameras or iPods. If you know other people who would like to donate their electronic devices, take recycling a step further by organizing a fundraising recycling drive. The more people that donate old cell phones, the more the environment and Frontier Missions can benefit.
Step 2: Select Frontier Missions To Benefit From Your Donation
Next, select our charity on the website www.recyclingforcharities.com. Recycling for Charities then makes a donation on your behalf for each mobile phone, PDA, iPod or digital camera you collect.
Step 3: Mail Items Using Recycling for Charities Ready-Made Shipping Label
To complete the process, simply print out the shipping label and tax donation forms directly from the website www.recyclingforcharities.com. Affix the label to your box, pack your collected donations and ship it to them.. It's as easy as 1-2-3!
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Wednesday, 29 February 2012 |
When you ask for donated vehicles, you never know what you’re going to get. We often say, trucks, cars, motorcycles, quads, boats, even airplanes are fine as long as they have a title. We can use them! And, we can and do. They help us in this ministry whether they’re given to a Native American on the Reservation, auctioned, sold or even scrapped. Donated vehicles are welcome here!
You can imagine that through the years we’ve had all kinds of different vehicles given to us. I mean, ALL kinds! But recently we had one that was and is very unique. The vehicle itself is not that unusual, unless you’ve been living on another planet and VW has no meaning to you. Ever since Dr. Ferdinand Porsche built the first “people’s car” in Germany before WW II, the planet has been over-run with Volkswagen vehicles.
So, when I got the call about a VW Eurovan being donated, it was rather routine…until I learned what was in it and on it. Jeff and his wife Linda, from near Albany, OR were giving us a handicapped accessible vehicle. It was equipped with thousands of dollars worth of features that enabled Jeff, a paraplegic, to operate the vehicle without any assistance. It had a hand throttle and brake mechanism, a power assisted driver seat that moved into the middle of the van, turned 180 degrees and allowed the driver to access a wheel-chair that was placed on a metal platform that could lift a person from the vehicle and place them on the ground. It was awesome!
Jeff said that he and Linda would drive up to our office in Portland and give the van to us and help the Frontier Missions ministry. When he arrived he was wearing an Oregon State University Beavers’ hat and a big smile. After the paperwork was completed we shook hands and I told them what a tremendous blessing it was to receive the vehicle and the special features for the handicapped. It was another example of people who believe in this ministry doing what they could and giving what they had to enable us.
Later as I drove home I thought about Jeff and Linda and their gift. I thought about their generosity. I thought about all the expensive equipment. I thought about Jeff’s big smile. And, I thought about his hat.
I also thought about the unique way that God has of supplying our needs… even when He uses a German made vehicle filled with expensive handicapped equipment given by a friend of Frontier Missions wearing an OSU Beavers’ hat.
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Monday, 16 January 2012 |
It's that time again! The holiday season is over. Now we're packing up, cleaning up and paying up. One of the realities is saying good-bye to the old year and reaching for the new one. You may have had an outstanding year, but there are others who are more than happy to say, "Asta'la'vista, baby!" to 2011.
Regardless of yesterday, let me remind you of a great truth that was said to an old prophet by the name of Jeremiah. God said to him, "I know the plans I have for you...they are plans to give you a future and a hope..." Jeremiah 29:11-13 (LB)
Plans? Future? Hope?
We often stumble because our plans are not the same as God's. We make our plans, then ask God to bless them. We would like to know the future but only God does. It would be better for us to ask, "God, what do you want me to do in 2012?" The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, said, "We may make our plans but God has the last word." At the beginning of this New Year, let's take time to ask God about His plans for our lives and then adopt them.
As fascinated as we are about tomorrow, you can't live it until it arrives. You must live one day at a time. And, because most people spend time regretting the past and worrying about the future, they have no time to enjoy today. It was John Lennon who said, "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans." Just remember what Jesus said, "Don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of tomorrow too. Live one day at a time." Matthew 6:34 (LB) Now, that's good advice.
With 2011 in our rear-view mirror, the New Year is shiny and clean. The goal of, "working hand-in-hand with Native Americans" is clear in our minds and hearts and the message of hope is as important as ever. The results of alcoholism, drug addiction, physical and sexual abuse, violence and poverty are seen everywhere on the Reservations in our country. And, aside from the message of God's love, acceptance and forgiveness the task would be hopeless! But, it's not. There is hope and hope's name is Jesus! Let us never forget the eternal truth that, "...whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved..." Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13 (NLV)
So, with confidence we approach the New Year. The same promise that God gave Jeremiah, He gives to us...He has plans for us...He has a future for us...and a hope. Aren't you glad?
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