April 27th, 2016
Proverbs 12:25 - “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad”
Have you ever experienced depression or know someone who is depressed? Depression is a mood disorder causing a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It can last for just a short time or for years. Those suffering from depression can experience intense feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness, fatigue, and a variety of other symptoms. They may begin to feel useless and even suicidal, losing interest in things and people that they once enjoyed. Depression is often triggered by life circumstances, such as a loss of job, death of a loved one, divorce, or psychological problems such as abuse or low self-esteem. Depression can sometimes be caused by a physical disorder that needs to be treated with medication and/or counseling.
David said in Psalms38:6 & 8 - "I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long...I am feeble and sore broken."
Almost everyone at one time or another experience a period of sadness. Most people get over it with a little time. But for some people, the sadness continues. The normal ups and downs of life mean that everyone feels sad or has "the blues" from time to time. But if emptiness and despair have taken hold of your life and won't go away, you may have depression.
Many of the men, women, and children that come through our doors are experiencing some type of depression. Our core values of compassion, hope, restoration and transformation are vital in helping those we are caring for. However, when dealing with severe depression — professional help should be sought.
I believe that God can heal the broken hearted and restore a person's joy, but He has also given us medicine and counselors to help us in our daily lives and struggles.
You are so vital to this ministry. If you believe you might be suffering from depression or know someone who might be, please seek help. As a Christian, I believe in the power of prayer and that is a good place to start, but medical and/or mental help should be utilized with deep depression. God loves us and wants us to "...have life, and have it abundantly" - John 10:10.
I am praying for you — you continue to pray for me.
All God's Best to you and your Loved ones,
-rev b
This article aims only to bring discussion concerning depression. It is not designed to diagnose symptoms and discuss treatment options for depression. If you are experiencing severe, debilitating or prolonged depression, seek advice from a counselor or medical professional.
If you are caught in a prolonged period of sadness, you may recognize one or more of the signs that often accompany depression:
April 20th, 2016
Psalm 113:5-8 - “Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.”
When we help the homeless and needy, we never really can know the impact on and in a person's life. This past year has been difficult for me personally. Many of you know that I lost my son, Roger, six months ago and yet I know deep down that God has not forsaken me, Roger's family, or our loved ones.
When I first came to the Mission, I would never imagine that I would still be here after 25 years, much less be the president of the ministry. I know that hundreds of more people whom we have helped are living better and doing great things with their lives.
Since October of last year many big events have taken place:
I don't say these things to brag. I am honored, but I know that all glory goes to God and special thanks goes to so many people in my life that have helped me become successful. God has truly taken me from the dust and placed me among princes. What He has done for me, He does for millions. As we move forward, remember that what we do impacts people for a lifetime.
Thank you for all that you do to help others reach for the impossible.
I want you to know that you are part of an amazing ministry!
By the way the picture at the top will be in the Miami Dade College Alumni Program.
All God's Best to you and your loved ones,
-rev b
April 13th, 2016
I Kings 6:7 - “And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.”
The above verse found in I Kings chapter 6 concerns the building of the temple built in Jerusalem by King Solomon. God gave the exact instructions of how the temple was to be designed and the exact method of how it was to be constructed. When completed, it was spectacular. This passage also provides a glimpse into the tools that were used in the process.
What's in your toolbox? I don't mean an actual toolbox, but your personal tools you use in everyday life? When dealing with life's problems and challenges, the more tools you have and the better you can use those tools reflect how you live your life.
A hammer is great for nailing and knocking things apart, but it is of no use when trying to tighten a bolt, unclog a drain, cut a piece of wood, or even using screws. Each project needs to use a specific tool or a combination of tools to get the job done.
When dealing with people, work, family, and society — we need an arsenal of relationship tools. If anger (your hammer) is your only tool, then everything becomes something to be smashed or beaten. That leaves a person miserable and causes others to avoid that person. Who wants to be around someone who only knows how to interact based on bullying and anger?
Take a moment today and do a personal inventory of your own set of tools that you use each day. What tools do you have? What do you want to have? What do you think is missing?
As we mature, we naturally gather more tools and learn how to use them for everyday life. This is very healthy. Not doing so, hampers a person as he/she wants to succeed in business, family, and in life in general. Review the short list of basic tools in this Moments blog that I believe everyone needs in their toolbox.
I am praying for you — you continue to pray for me.
All God's Best to you and your Loved ones,
-rev b
Four Powerful Tools
April 6th, 2016
Philippians 4: 4-7 - “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God has great things in store for our ministry!
If you haven't heard - we officially closed the sale of the properties in Miami. These were the admin office, thrift stores, and the Center for Women and Children. We have until March 30th, 2017 to be relocated. We are not shutting down any part of our ministry, we want to exand services to the homelesss and needy. This is a historical period and is a time for great rejoicing.
I think everyone at some point has dared to dream big dreams and even set goals, but far too often they sit on a shelf never to be realized. Taking Action means working hard to make your dreams come true - even if it means there is potential for failure. I believe that fear keeps people from taking action. But, I also believe that we serve a mighty God who gives great wisdom, provision, and protection as we move forward and take action for our future.
Here are some goals that are being acted on at the present. Your prayers for each of these is greatly appreciated.
These are big dreams, with big goals, but we have a BIG GOD and a tremendous staff.
Thank You for being part of dreaming big, setting goals, and taking action.
We are winners for God and will help more hurting people in the future!
All God's Best to you and your Loved ones, -rev b
PS - "I want to pray for you!"
Prayer Requests
March 30th, 2016
2 Corinthians 9:11-12 - “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”
Super thanks and much appreciation to our entire team that made Thanksgiving on Good Friday such a huge success.
Look at all that was accomplished and the thousands of lives that were impacted. People in great need experienced the love of God and of our communities.
Below are the grand totals of our centers.
I realize that when we have our community outreaches, there is a lot of hard work done by all. There is so much preparation and organization that has to take place. But when you see the joy and thankfulness of the people that are served - you know it was worth it all.
I am praying for you — you continue to pray for me.
All God's Best to you and your Loved ones,
-rev b
March 22nd, 2016
Psalms 145:4 - “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.”
This week's moment is the follow-up of Easy Eddie's legacy.
World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.
His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.
Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly.
Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. This took place on February 20, 1942 , and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Medal of Honor.
A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.
So what does the story of Easy Eddie and Butch have in common? Easy Eddie, the man who turned against Al Capone, was Butch's father.
What will your legacy be?
All God's Best to you and your Loved ones, -rev b
March 16th, 2016
Matthew 6:20,21 - “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
This week's moments is the first part of two stories that when read independently would not seem to be connected, but they are. The common thread is how our actions leave a legacy in the world — either positive or negative. Make sure to come back next week and read how this man's legacy affected his family and the world.
Some years before World War 2 a millionaire lawyer known as “Easy Eddie” was involved in illegal gambling rackets with the notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone. Eddie had the patent rights to the mechanical rabbits used in dog racing and he and was brought into the Hawthorne Kennel Club by Capone as a major partner. The races were usually always fixed and although dog racing was illegal Capone and Eddie kept the matter tied up in the courts. This allowed them to continue to run their tracks. When dog racing was finally declared illegal Eddie and Capone simply switched their tracks over to horseracing, which was legal, and continued to fix races and rake in money.
In addition to his race track interests Eddie performed a variety of legal services for the Capone Mob. He looked after mob members arrested for murder, gambling and prostitution and set up elaborate real estate and stock transactions for Capone, himself and other insiders of the gang.
There was however another side to Eddie. Eddie was a father. He had a son and daughters whom he loved dearly, and the wealth he had amassed allowed him to shower everything money could buy upon his beloved children. And in many ways he was a good father. Eddie sought out the best schools for his children and spent lots of time with them attending their school productions and sporting events, and just hanging around together.
But there was one thing Eddie’s money couldn’t buy – integrity and respectability. Eddie’s son finished high school and declared he wanted to go into the naval academy at Annapolis. But to get there you needed more than money. You needed the approval of the congressman for your state.
Eddie decided his son’s future was more important than his own. He approached the authorities and indicated he would be willing to testify against Capone. On the basis of Eddie’s witness Al Capone went to jail for 11 years and his stranglehold on Chicago was broken. Eddie’s son also got into the Annapolis Naval Academy. But for Eddie the price was severe. Capone swore he would kill Eddie and in 1937 Eddie was gunned to death as he drove his car home from work. In his pocket the police found a poem which read:
The clock of life is wound but once
And no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.
Now is the only time you own.
Live, love, toil with a will.
Place no faith in time.
For the clock may soon be still.
Our actions and choices today will forge our future. Let each of us seek higher goals in life and work towards leaving this world with a postive legacy. That legacy is most important with our family, loved ones, and friends.Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I am praying for you — you continue to pray for me.
All God's Best to you and your Loved ones,
-rev b
This man treasured his son and left an amazing legacy!
Some things to think about concerning leaving a legacy:
Steven Covey, author of the very popular "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", emphasizes four areas of our life to develop: To Live, To Learn, To Love, & To Leave a Legacy.
Next week's moment will reveal the impact of Easy Eddie's legacy.
Prayer RequestMarch 9th, 2016
Romans 12:6-8: - “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Do you ever notice that some people put so much importance in their title or position? I get a kick when out in public or at a meeting when someone asks what do I do. My normal response is that I work with the homeless at the Miami Rescue Mission | Broward Outreach Centers (think Caring Place). There's not much response or recognition. But if someone in the crowd states, "Do you know that he's the President?", — people will change. All of sudden I can be surrounded and people want to speak to me or hand me a business card.
In my 25 years of serving in this tremendous ministry, I try to keep things simple. Each day I ask myself, "How can we help a person who is homeless become successful in life and form a relationship with God."
I want you to know that whatever your position or title is — whatever you do every day is crucial for our success.
You are a Very Important Person!
Think about the following:
As in the verses quoted above, each of us have different gifts. Each person, department, and Center are vital to this ministry. Without one part, the whole suffers and will collapse. I believe that everyone is a VIP. YOU are a Very Important Person!
All God's Best to you and your Loved ones, -rev b
March 2nd, 2016
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
There are times that we need to be comforted, but there are many more times that we can bring comfort to others. I received this story last year from a friend and really do not know the source, but it highlights the thought of bringing comfort to others.
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. "Your son is here," she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited. Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.
"Who was that man?" he asked.
The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.
"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."
"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"
"I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed. I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. His son was Killed in Iraq today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this gentleman's name?"
The nurse with tears in her eyes answered,
"Mr. William Grey."
The next time someone needs you — just be there.
I am praying for you — you continue to pray for me.
All God's Best to you and your Loved ones,
-rev b
It is common to feel awkward when trying to comfort someone who is grieving or suffering.
Many people do not know what to say or do.
The following are suggestions to use as a guide.
My 
