1 00:00:08,257 --> 00:00:14,177 Speaker 1: Life audio. This episode mentioned suicide and may be triggering 2 00:00:14,257 --> 00:00:15,177 Speaker 1: for some listeners. 3 00:00:17,497 --> 00:00:19,817 Speaker 2: Walk through the season of Lent with an intentional focus 4 00:00:19,857 --> 00:00:22,617 Speaker 2: on your Savior and prepare for the joy and victory 5 00:00:22,657 --> 00:00:25,896 Speaker 2: of his resurrection. With Jesus Listens for Lent and Easter. 6 00:00:26,616 --> 00:00:30,577 Speaker 2: This book offers seasonally themed devotions from Sarah Young's New 7 00:00:30,617 --> 00:00:35,337 Speaker 2: York Times bestseller Jesus Listens. Inside you'll find prayers, reflections, 8 00:00:35,377 --> 00:00:39,297 Speaker 2: and Bible verses based on Jesus life and sacrifice, plus 9 00:00:39,577 --> 00:00:43,217 Speaker 2: stunning Spring and Easter illustrations, making this a holiday treasure 10 00:00:43,217 --> 00:00:46,257 Speaker 2: to cherish for years to come. Find Jesus Listens for 11 00:00:46,336 --> 00:00:48,577 Speaker 2: Lent and Easter today at your favorite retailer. 12 00:00:51,976 --> 00:00:55,337 Speaker 3: I pray to God that you would see that oftentimes 13 00:00:55,417 --> 00:00:58,737 Speaker 3: churches get it wrong, man. Churches get it wrong sometimes, 14 00:00:58,737 --> 00:01:01,217 Speaker 3: and we just slat Bible verses on stuff that could 15 00:01:01,257 --> 00:01:03,497 Speaker 3: be a chemical disruption in a body. 16 00:01:03,537 --> 00:01:05,817 Speaker 1: And I just want to say to somebody, man, I'm 17 00:01:05,817 --> 00:01:07,377 Speaker 1: sorry that. 18 00:01:07,217 --> 00:01:10,257 Speaker 3: You just got hit with a Bible verse when you 19 00:01:10,337 --> 00:01:12,377 Speaker 3: just needed somebody to sit in the puddle of your tears. 20 00:01:13,857 --> 00:01:17,217 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Jesus Calling Podcast. This week, we'll hear 21 00:01:17,257 --> 00:01:21,537 Speaker 2: from Ed Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. 22 00:01:21,977 --> 00:01:24,377 Speaker 2: Growing up as a CODA, a child of a deaf 23 00:01:24,377 --> 00:01:27,857 Speaker 2: adult ed bridged the hearing and deaf worlds for his parents, 24 00:01:28,297 --> 00:01:33,377 Speaker 2: fostering immense empathy but also hardship. Later, following his parents' deaths, 25 00:01:33,617 --> 00:01:36,657 Speaker 2: he faced a tidal wave of despair and suicidal thoughts. 26 00:01:37,057 --> 00:01:39,937 Speaker 2: He sought professional help and openly shared his struggle with 27 00:01:39,937 --> 00:01:43,337 Speaker 2: his church, who responded with grace. Now Ed advocates for 28 00:01:43,377 --> 00:01:46,017 Speaker 2: the church to be a hospital for the broken, urging 29 00:01:46,057 --> 00:01:49,297 Speaker 2: people to seek help and recognize it's okay to not 30 00:01:49,377 --> 00:01:52,337 Speaker 2: be okay, but not to stay that way. Later in 31 00:01:52,377 --> 00:01:55,177 Speaker 2: the episode, we'll hear from Wendell Vinson and Todd Lamb 32 00:01:55,217 --> 00:01:58,417 Speaker 2: fear from City Serve, an organization that helps equip and 33 00:01:58,457 --> 00:02:01,937 Speaker 2: empower churches to serve their communities. They discussed City Service 34 00:02:01,977 --> 00:02:04,617 Speaker 2: mission to equip local churches and to meet the last 35 00:02:04,657 --> 00:02:07,897 Speaker 2: mile of need in their communities. They highlight the church's 36 00:02:07,977 --> 00:02:12,417 Speaker 2: role in community transformation, citing reduced recidivism rates and it's 37 00:02:12,457 --> 00:02:16,417 Speaker 2: a central ministry of presence before, during, and after crises 38 00:02:16,617 --> 00:02:21,097 Speaker 2: like natural disasters or war. Finally, they acknowledge compassion fatigue, 39 00:02:21,337 --> 00:02:25,897 Speaker 2: emphasizing that faithful service requires spiritual replenishment in order to 40 00:02:25,977 --> 00:02:29,857 Speaker 2: continue to serve others. Well, let's begin with Ed's story. 41 00:02:33,337 --> 00:02:36,097 Speaker 3: My name is Ed Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church 42 00:02:36,097 --> 00:02:40,617 Speaker 3: here in San Antonio, Texas. More importantly, I am married 43 00:02:40,617 --> 00:02:44,377 Speaker 3: to Stephanie twenty seven years of marriage. For children that 44 00:02:44,457 --> 00:02:49,337 Speaker 3: are named London Lola live laws in twenty two twenty 45 00:02:49,817 --> 00:02:55,656 Speaker 3: nineteen seventeen. I grew up in a home where both 46 00:02:55,657 --> 00:02:58,497 Speaker 3: parents are deaf. CODEA stands for child of death adult 47 00:02:59,377 --> 00:03:02,017 Speaker 3: and basically you are the bridge and the gap and 48 00:03:02,057 --> 00:03:05,097 Speaker 3: the mouthpiece for two deaf people, much like my mom 49 00:03:05,137 --> 00:03:08,137 Speaker 3: and dad. When I was about thirty five, I was 50 00:03:08,177 --> 00:03:09,977 Speaker 3: talking to my dad one day and I was like, Dad, 51 00:03:10,017 --> 00:03:11,257 Speaker 3: do you wish you up signing this? 52 00:03:11,337 --> 00:03:11,577 Speaker 4: To him? 53 00:03:11,617 --> 00:03:13,056 Speaker 1: Of course, I was like, do you wish you could 54 00:03:13,057 --> 00:03:15,857 Speaker 1: be actually healed? 55 00:03:16,177 --> 00:03:18,697 Speaker 3: And he was like he signs to me like no, 56 00:03:19,537 --> 00:03:21,217 Speaker 3: And I was like why and he signs to me, 57 00:03:21,297 --> 00:03:23,777 Speaker 3: He goes you, and I go, what do you mean me? 58 00:03:24,697 --> 00:03:29,177 Speaker 3: He goes, I'm watching you be a mouthpiece for God. 59 00:03:30,057 --> 00:03:33,177 Speaker 3: Knowing that God taught you how to do that by 60 00:03:33,257 --> 00:03:37,177 Speaker 3: being a mouthpiece for me and mom, and man, that 61 00:03:37,177 --> 00:03:40,217 Speaker 3: that just put everything in perspective for me. My mission 62 00:03:40,337 --> 00:03:42,817 Speaker 3: was to actually be the voice for two people that 63 00:03:42,897 --> 00:03:45,257 Speaker 3: could not speak and to help them understand how to 64 00:03:45,297 --> 00:03:48,297 Speaker 3: aggregate and acclimate into a hearing world. 65 00:03:48,377 --> 00:03:49,977 Speaker 1: And it came with a lot of hardship. It came 66 00:03:50,017 --> 00:03:52,337 Speaker 1: a lot of difficulty. It came with a lot of embarrassment. 67 00:03:52,457 --> 00:03:54,217 Speaker 1: You know, at times where you. 68 00:03:54,137 --> 00:03:56,057 Speaker 3: Know my mom and dad when they talk, they sound 69 00:03:56,177 --> 00:03:59,777 Speaker 3: very guttural and loud, and it drew a lot of attention, 70 00:03:59,897 --> 00:04:02,017 Speaker 3: and so it embarrassed me a lot when I was 71 00:04:02,057 --> 00:04:05,417 Speaker 3: growing up. And at the same time, then I feel 72 00:04:05,417 --> 00:04:07,697 Speaker 3: bad for being embarrassed with my mom and dad. And 73 00:04:07,737 --> 00:04:09,937 Speaker 3: then people just said some mean things like your parents 74 00:04:09,977 --> 00:04:12,937 Speaker 3: are deaf and dumb. No, they're not dumb, they're just deaf. 75 00:04:13,697 --> 00:04:16,817 Speaker 3: Or can your parents read? They're like, they're not illiterate, 76 00:04:17,457 --> 00:04:22,616 Speaker 3: I just can't hear. So ignorance was very typically, very 77 00:04:22,856 --> 00:04:27,137 Speaker 3: unfortunately not filtered through some proper, politically correct statements, and man, 78 00:04:27,176 --> 00:04:29,137 Speaker 3: it just it hurt me a lot, and it hurt 79 00:04:29,217 --> 00:04:30,897 Speaker 3: my mom and dad a lot along the way, and 80 00:04:30,936 --> 00:04:34,416 Speaker 3: so their pain became my pain. December twenty sixth, day 81 00:04:34,416 --> 00:04:37,696 Speaker 3: after Christmas, I woke up and nothing was going on 82 00:04:37,736 --> 00:04:42,336 Speaker 3: in my world professionally, personally in regards to my life. 83 00:04:42,976 --> 00:04:45,856 Speaker 3: Was working through some relational dynamics of just my family, 84 00:04:47,777 --> 00:04:54,256 Speaker 3: but just felt a sense of overwhelming despair. And it's 85 00:04:54,296 --> 00:04:56,056 Speaker 3: kind of hard to put into words, except for the 86 00:04:56,097 --> 00:05:00,976 Speaker 3: fact that I've battled depression and anxiety for several years now, 87 00:05:01,577 --> 00:05:03,777 Speaker 3: but this one was like a title wave. It was 88 00:05:03,816 --> 00:05:06,936 Speaker 3: like a tsunami of depression. My dad died in twenty 89 00:05:06,936 --> 00:05:10,097 Speaker 3: twenty two, my mom died in twenty twenty. There was 90 00:05:10,137 --> 00:05:12,016 Speaker 3: just like this vortex of a lot of things that 91 00:05:12,176 --> 00:05:15,696 Speaker 3: was just unfolding that just made me feel a level 92 00:05:15,697 --> 00:05:19,577 Speaker 3: of despair that I'd felt before. But it just felt 93 00:05:19,616 --> 00:05:22,337 Speaker 3: as if it was a hundred x that I didn't have 94 00:05:22,616 --> 00:05:26,137 Speaker 3: a suicidal plan. I didn't have ideations of how to 95 00:05:26,496 --> 00:05:29,856 Speaker 3: end my life. It was like, I think it would 96 00:05:29,897 --> 00:05:32,856 Speaker 3: be better that I wouldn't be alive, Like it would 97 00:05:32,936 --> 00:05:35,376 Speaker 3: just be much better just to go to heaven and 98 00:05:35,416 --> 00:05:36,816 Speaker 3: be done. 99 00:05:36,897 --> 00:05:39,457 Speaker 1: And I'd never felt like that before in my life. 100 00:05:39,496 --> 00:05:43,056 Speaker 3: Like I'm a pretty positive, encouraging, love to be around 101 00:05:43,056 --> 00:05:46,176 Speaker 3: people and laugh, and found myself in a place of despair. 102 00:05:46,296 --> 00:05:50,097 Speaker 3: My wife, who is about five foot tall Filipino, crawlsing 103 00:05:50,176 --> 00:05:54,217 Speaker 3: my lap and just hey, we're gonna get through. This 104 00:05:55,056 --> 00:05:58,856 Speaker 3: took me several days to just get out of bed struggling. 105 00:05:59,777 --> 00:06:02,337 Speaker 1: Just couldn't see myself getting out of this funk that 106 00:06:02,416 --> 00:06:03,217 Speaker 1: I was feeling. 107 00:06:04,416 --> 00:06:08,497 Speaker 3: So I not only notified my wife, you know, she's 108 00:06:08,537 --> 00:06:10,856 Speaker 3: walking with me, and then began to invite some people 109 00:06:10,936 --> 00:06:15,777 Speaker 3: into this, and so grateful that the board that represents 110 00:06:16,056 --> 00:06:19,176 Speaker 3: our church was like, hey, man, I want to encourage 111 00:06:19,176 --> 00:06:25,457 Speaker 3: you to just let's go get some help. And that 112 00:06:25,537 --> 00:06:29,576 Speaker 3: began that journey of some biblical guidance and counseling and therapy, 113 00:06:29,976 --> 00:06:33,896 Speaker 3: and it was just super refreshing to actually sit with 114 00:06:33,976 --> 00:06:37,217 Speaker 3: a professional that was able to look at the totality 115 00:06:37,217 --> 00:06:40,136 Speaker 3: of my life. I don't know how to express it, 116 00:06:40,176 --> 00:06:42,657 Speaker 3: except for the fact that I just felt as if 117 00:06:43,496 --> 00:06:47,257 Speaker 3: failure was just like before me and you kind of 118 00:06:47,257 --> 00:06:49,296 Speaker 3: get to a place where imposter syndrome and all of 119 00:06:49,296 --> 00:06:52,217 Speaker 3: this kind of just adds up. You're wrestling with insecurity, 120 00:06:52,217 --> 00:06:54,897 Speaker 3: you're wrestling with inadequacy, You're wrestling with like, I don't 121 00:06:54,936 --> 00:06:55,616 Speaker 3: feel really good. 122 00:06:55,616 --> 00:06:57,176 Speaker 1: I got lower chronic. 123 00:06:56,936 --> 00:07:00,697 Speaker 3: Back pain, and I'm just like, man, this is all 124 00:07:00,777 --> 00:07:04,337 Speaker 3: just adding up, just got heavy, and I'm like, I 125 00:07:04,337 --> 00:07:07,376 Speaker 3: think I just went out but that's where God met me. 126 00:07:07,697 --> 00:07:08,897 Speaker 3: You kind of get to a place where you get 127 00:07:08,897 --> 00:07:10,456 Speaker 3: sick of being sick and tired of being tired, and 128 00:07:10,457 --> 00:07:13,816 Speaker 3: you're like, Okay, I'm not going to die. I'm not 129 00:07:13,897 --> 00:07:16,617 Speaker 3: going to quit. It's okay not to be okay. So 130 00:07:16,617 --> 00:07:18,817 Speaker 3: it's not okay to stay that way when God can 131 00:07:18,857 --> 00:07:22,057 Speaker 3: break every chain. So the culture that we've created here, 132 00:07:22,297 --> 00:07:24,897 Speaker 3: it's just okay not to be okay. And I could 133 00:07:24,897 --> 00:07:27,737 Speaker 3: tell you a thousand stories of how this church is 134 00:07:27,737 --> 00:07:32,337 Speaker 3: the church that if I could just be even more candid, 135 00:07:33,297 --> 00:07:36,577 Speaker 3: me saying out loud to a congregation on a pretty 136 00:07:36,577 --> 00:07:39,657 Speaker 3: regular basis, like hey, I battle depression and battle anxiety 137 00:07:40,417 --> 00:07:42,977 Speaker 3: and I'm working through some stuff for me to even 138 00:07:43,057 --> 00:07:46,977 Speaker 3: tell the congregation and not be fired, to actually not 139 00:07:47,017 --> 00:07:49,177 Speaker 3: have a group of leaders come alongside of me and go, hey, 140 00:07:49,177 --> 00:07:52,297 Speaker 3: I think you're actually disqualified. This doesn't feel like a 141 00:07:52,337 --> 00:07:54,537 Speaker 3: tightest guy, You don't feel like a second Timothy guy. 142 00:07:54,577 --> 00:07:58,057 Speaker 3: You actually feel like you need to resign. It was 143 00:07:58,097 --> 00:08:01,576 Speaker 3: the opposite. We're going to be a hospital for the broken, 144 00:08:01,816 --> 00:08:05,537 Speaker 3: and we're going to do what Jesus did really really well. 145 00:08:05,577 --> 00:08:08,977 Speaker 1: Well. I pray to God that you would see that. 146 00:08:09,217 --> 00:08:13,177 Speaker 3: Oftentimes churches get it wrong, man, churches get it wrong sometimes, 147 00:08:13,257 --> 00:08:15,737 Speaker 3: and we just slap Bible verses on stuff that could 148 00:08:15,777 --> 00:08:18,817 Speaker 3: be a chemical disruption in a body. And I just 149 00:08:18,816 --> 00:08:21,816 Speaker 3: want to say to somebody, man, I'm sorry that you 150 00:08:22,057 --> 00:08:24,937 Speaker 3: just got hit with a Bible verse when you just 151 00:08:24,937 --> 00:08:26,896 Speaker 3: needed somebody to sit in the puddle of your tears. 152 00:08:28,217 --> 00:08:30,937 Speaker 3: I just I'm sorry that somebody just hit you with 153 00:08:30,937 --> 00:08:32,977 Speaker 3: the Romans eight twenty eight and you just need somebody 154 00:08:33,017 --> 00:08:33,577 Speaker 3: just to listen. 155 00:08:34,417 --> 00:08:35,737 Speaker 1: And I wouldn't give up on the church. 156 00:08:35,817 --> 00:08:38,257 Speaker 3: That church didn't hurt you, that the person was trying 157 00:08:38,257 --> 00:08:40,017 Speaker 3: to do the best they knew how to do. And 158 00:08:41,057 --> 00:08:44,737 Speaker 3: I believe some of the healthiest people I have ever 159 00:08:44,977 --> 00:08:50,497 Speaker 3: met sit on somebody's couch. I actually think it's the 160 00:08:50,537 --> 00:08:55,897 Speaker 3: red flag of danger. Is for somebody that says I'm good, 161 00:08:56,217 --> 00:09:00,697 Speaker 3: I don't need counseling, I would say, watch out for 162 00:09:00,977 --> 00:09:03,897 Speaker 3: that's a slippery slope of destruction that's about to happen. 163 00:09:04,417 --> 00:09:07,057 Speaker 3: I use this analogy. I think life is like a 164 00:09:07,057 --> 00:09:10,417 Speaker 3: two liter bottle, and man, it'll just shake you up sometimes. 165 00:09:11,137 --> 00:09:12,817 Speaker 3: If I handed you a two liter bottle and just 166 00:09:12,817 --> 00:09:14,337 Speaker 3: shook it up and said I need you to open 167 00:09:14,337 --> 00:09:16,657 Speaker 3: it right now you're like, no, I need to wait. 168 00:09:16,697 --> 00:09:17,897 Speaker 1: I'd be like, no, I need you to open it 169 00:09:17,977 --> 00:09:18,297 Speaker 1: right now. 170 00:09:18,337 --> 00:09:20,857 Speaker 3: You do the most logical thing you would, like barely 171 00:09:21,017 --> 00:09:25,057 Speaker 3: turn the cap. And I just think most people life 172 00:09:25,057 --> 00:09:27,857 Speaker 3: gets shaken up and they don't know what to do 173 00:09:27,977 --> 00:09:33,017 Speaker 3: with that. And then one moment sitting with somebody that 174 00:09:33,137 --> 00:09:39,297 Speaker 3: lets you just go sh oh, just don't live life 175 00:09:39,377 --> 00:09:43,137 Speaker 3: all bound up when you can find somebody that would 176 00:09:43,217 --> 00:09:44,977 Speaker 3: love you just to sit with you and go, hey, 177 00:09:45,457 --> 00:09:47,137 Speaker 3: let me tell you what I hear and see, You're 178 00:09:47,177 --> 00:10:00,017 Speaker 3: not alone. This world is filled with multiple voices that 179 00:10:00,217 --> 00:10:02,857 Speaker 3: speak to you on what to do, where to be, 180 00:10:02,977 --> 00:10:07,097 Speaker 3: where to go, and that comes through various of social media, 181 00:10:07,337 --> 00:10:11,937 Speaker 3: in movies and music and news outlets. We're constantly hearing 182 00:10:12,017 --> 00:10:16,217 Speaker 3: and listening and feeling. But when we do not align 183 00:10:16,297 --> 00:10:21,256 Speaker 3: our heart to what God says, who is the ultimate voice, 184 00:10:21,377 --> 00:10:26,577 Speaker 3: then it just conflicts the directional, navigational component of our life. 185 00:10:26,657 --> 00:10:31,136 Speaker 3: And so to begin with a belief that God and 186 00:10:31,257 --> 00:10:34,977 Speaker 3: his word and his voice can be heard, it could 187 00:10:35,017 --> 00:10:38,136 Speaker 3: be received, and it actually could give direction to a 188 00:10:38,217 --> 00:10:43,377 Speaker 3: life and makes something feel meaningless become meaningful, ordinary, extraordinary 189 00:10:43,777 --> 00:10:46,297 Speaker 3: because there's a God who never changes, who operates out 190 00:10:46,337 --> 00:10:50,137 Speaker 3: of the character of sovereignty and goodness, who's always working 191 00:10:50,137 --> 00:10:52,497 Speaker 3: for your greater good. So why not begin a day 192 00:10:52,537 --> 00:10:56,297 Speaker 3: with him and let him frame the filter of how 193 00:10:56,337 --> 00:10:58,777 Speaker 3: you're to see the world. And that's when we begin 194 00:10:58,857 --> 00:11:01,017 Speaker 3: to embrace the fact that no weapon formed against you 195 00:11:01,057 --> 00:11:01,737 Speaker 3: shall prosper. 196 00:11:02,017 --> 00:11:02,937 Speaker 1: Greater is heath that's. 197 00:11:02,817 --> 00:11:05,017 Speaker 3: In you than he that's in the world. I can 198 00:11:05,057 --> 00:11:07,017 Speaker 3: do all things, said Christy strengthens me. And then you 199 00:11:07,057 --> 00:11:09,897 Speaker 3: begin to realize, Man, it's not really me doing this 200 00:11:09,977 --> 00:11:11,977 Speaker 3: on my own. It's God working in and through me. 201 00:11:12,057 --> 00:11:14,657 Speaker 3: And this God wants to talk to me. I like 202 00:11:14,697 --> 00:11:17,217 Speaker 3: it this way. God not only loves you, he actually 203 00:11:17,337 --> 00:11:19,297 Speaker 3: likes you too. 204 00:11:20,417 --> 00:11:21,417 Speaker 1: Jesus listens. 205 00:11:22,057 --> 00:11:26,577 Speaker 3: June eighteenth, My Savior God, I rejoice. 206 00:11:26,857 --> 00:11:29,417 Speaker 1: You have clothed me with garments of salvation. 207 00:11:30,257 --> 00:11:35,217 Speaker 3: Your robe of righteousness is mine eternally, because you are 208 00:11:35,257 --> 00:11:40,657 Speaker 3: my savior forever. Your perfect righteousness can never be taken 209 00:11:40,697 --> 00:11:43,657 Speaker 3: away from me. This means I don't need to be 210 00:11:43,737 --> 00:11:45,937 Speaker 3: afraid of facing my sins. 211 00:11:46,057 --> 00:11:47,177 Speaker 1: Or dealing with them. 212 00:11:47,817 --> 00:11:51,377 Speaker 3: As I became aware of sin in my life, I 213 00:11:51,457 --> 00:11:55,217 Speaker 3: can confess it and receive your forgiveness and full measure. 214 00:11:56,137 --> 00:12:00,297 Speaker 3: Help me also to forgive myself. I know that self 215 00:12:00,337 --> 00:12:04,417 Speaker 3: hatred is very unhealthy for me, and it is not 216 00:12:04,617 --> 00:12:09,457 Speaker 3: pleasing to you. To avoid this hurtful snare. I'm learning 217 00:12:09,497 --> 00:12:12,457 Speaker 3: to take many looks at you for every look I 218 00:12:12,577 --> 00:12:16,817 Speaker 3: take at my sins and failures, I delight in your 219 00:12:16,857 --> 00:12:20,897 Speaker 3: assurances that I am precious in your sight. I'm so 220 00:12:21,097 --> 00:12:24,537 Speaker 3: thankful I don't have to prove my worth by trying 221 00:12:24,577 --> 00:12:27,897 Speaker 3: to be good enough. You lived a perfect life on 222 00:12:27,937 --> 00:12:31,937 Speaker 3: my behalf because you knew I could not do so. 223 00:12:32,017 --> 00:12:35,017 Speaker 3: Now I want to live in this glorious freedom of 224 00:12:35,057 --> 00:12:39,857 Speaker 3: being your fully forgiven follower, remembering that there is no 225 00:12:39,977 --> 00:12:44,697 Speaker 3: condemnation for those who belong to you in your forgiving name, 226 00:12:45,337 --> 00:12:46,817 Speaker 3: Jesus Amen. 227 00:12:49,817 --> 00:12:53,057 Speaker 2: To learn more about Ed, visit at Newton dot com 228 00:12:53,177 --> 00:12:55,177 Speaker 2: and be sure to check out his book Why Not 229 00:12:55,257 --> 00:12:58,657 Speaker 2: You Believing What God Believes about You, Available at your 230 00:12:58,657 --> 00:13:02,777 Speaker 2: favorite retailer. Stay tuned to Wendell Vincent and TODDLM. Fearstory. 231 00:13:02,817 --> 00:13:11,897 Speaker 2: After a brief message looking for a source of daily 232 00:13:11,977 --> 00:13:15,177 Speaker 2: encouragement and peace, The Jesus Calling app brings you closer 233 00:13:15,177 --> 00:13:18,577 Speaker 2: to God with daily devotionals right on your phone. Explore 234 00:13:18,617 --> 00:13:22,697 Speaker 2: features like personalized daily devotionals and soothing audio readings. You 235 00:13:22,737 --> 00:13:26,417 Speaker 2: can bookmark your favorite passages, set reminders for your devotional time, 236 00:13:26,617 --> 00:13:30,537 Speaker 2: and even share inspirational messages with loved ones. Now, the 237 00:13:30,657 --> 00:13:33,537 Speaker 2: Jesus Calling App brings even more comfort and connection with 238 00:13:33,657 --> 00:13:37,817 Speaker 2: the introduction of Spanish devotions from author Sarah Young. Whether 239 00:13:37,857 --> 00:13:39,977 Speaker 2: you start your day with a quiet moment of reflection 240 00:13:40,377 --> 00:13:42,577 Speaker 2: or use it to end your evening in gratitude, the 241 00:13:42,657 --> 00:13:45,897 Speaker 2: Jesus Calling App offers comfort, guidance, and a deeper connection 242 00:13:45,937 --> 00:13:49,017 Speaker 2: to God at your fingertips. Get started today for free. 243 00:13:49,377 --> 00:13:51,737 Speaker 2: The Jesus Calling App is available in both the Apple 244 00:13:51,857 --> 00:14:01,737 Speaker 2: and Google Play stores. Wendell Vinson, co founder of City 245 00:14:01,777 --> 00:14:05,417 Speaker 2: Serve and longtime pastor of Canyon Hills Church, and toddlem Fear, 246 00:14:05,657 --> 00:14:08,777 Speaker 2: senior vice president of City Serve, discussed the vital role 247 00:14:08,817 --> 00:14:12,937 Speaker 2: of the church in transforming communities, including measurable results like 248 00:14:13,057 --> 00:14:17,017 Speaker 2: lower residivism rates. The conversation highlights the church's a central 249 00:14:17,057 --> 00:14:20,817 Speaker 2: ministry of presence, offering support before during an after crisis 250 00:14:20,977 --> 00:14:24,897 Speaker 2: such as natural disasters or conflicts. Acknowledging the reality of 251 00:14:24,937 --> 00:14:29,657 Speaker 2: compassion fatigue, Vincent and Lamvier stress that ongoing service requires 252 00:14:29,737 --> 00:14:33,457 Speaker 2: consistent spiritual replenishment to effectively care for others. 253 00:14:35,057 --> 00:14:40,017 Speaker 4: Wendell Vinson, President, co founder of City Serve, pastor of 254 00:14:40,337 --> 00:14:45,817 Speaker 4: Canyon Hills Church, Bakersville, California. City Serve was launched in 255 00:14:45,897 --> 00:14:52,017 Speaker 4: twenty sixteen as a resourcing ministry to local churches. 256 00:14:53,217 --> 00:14:59,257 Speaker 5: Todd Lambfeir, Senior vice president of City Serve. Serve also 257 00:14:59,377 --> 00:15:03,257 Speaker 5: on the executive team for the National Faith Advisory Board. 258 00:15:07,977 --> 00:15:11,337 Speaker 5: I'd met pastor Wendell and Dave Donaldson, the two co 259 00:15:11,417 --> 00:15:15,897 Speaker 5: founders of City Serve, in Washington, d C. And I'd 260 00:15:15,897 --> 00:15:19,897 Speaker 5: never met them, had not heard about their organization like 261 00:15:19,977 --> 00:15:23,297 Speaker 5: I do for all the first time people wanting to 262 00:15:23,337 --> 00:15:26,777 Speaker 5: meet with the White House. I gave them fifteen minutes, 263 00:15:26,817 --> 00:15:30,577 Speaker 5: and that fifteen minutes turned into two hours as I 264 00:15:30,737 --> 00:15:36,137 Speaker 5: just listened to them unpacked their story of how important 265 00:15:36,177 --> 00:15:39,737 Speaker 5: it is to love on and to resource the local church. 266 00:15:40,497 --> 00:15:43,457 Speaker 5: The local church can be the heroes in their community. 267 00:15:43,697 --> 00:15:47,897 Speaker 5: It just captivated me. And the beauty of this organization 268 00:15:48,097 --> 00:15:52,497 Speaker 5: is that puts at the central point the local church 269 00:15:53,057 --> 00:15:56,697 Speaker 5: and making sure that the local church becomes the hero 270 00:15:56,857 --> 00:16:01,177 Speaker 5: in every community and resourcing them to a point to 271 00:16:01,257 --> 00:16:04,777 Speaker 5: where they can meet the needs of people who are 272 00:16:04,817 --> 00:16:08,457 Speaker 5: living in that last mile of need. That is the 273 00:16:08,737 --> 00:16:11,777 Speaker 5: absolute genius of city serve. 274 00:16:13,697 --> 00:16:19,017 Speaker 4: Most people come to Jesus out of pain. They come 275 00:16:19,417 --> 00:16:23,457 Speaker 4: when they're empty or when they are in desperate need. 276 00:16:24,177 --> 00:16:27,817 Speaker 4: I've been pastoring the church that I pastor for forty 277 00:16:27,857 --> 00:16:33,137 Speaker 4: two years, and seldom have I had someone come and say, 278 00:16:33,217 --> 00:16:35,777 Speaker 4: I am doing good. I have money at the bank, 279 00:16:35,937 --> 00:16:38,977 Speaker 4: my kids are great, my marriage is great. I need 280 00:16:39,017 --> 00:16:44,497 Speaker 4: to get saved. Almost entirely people come out of a need, 281 00:16:44,937 --> 00:16:49,617 Speaker 4: either emptiness inside or a real pain point in their life. 282 00:16:50,257 --> 00:16:53,977 Speaker 4: And so we helped churches make that journey with people 283 00:16:54,857 --> 00:17:00,417 Speaker 4: toward Jesus and toward a life of discipleship. And we 284 00:17:00,457 --> 00:17:05,577 Speaker 4: resource churches in three primary ways, with the resources that 285 00:17:05,617 --> 00:17:08,256 Speaker 4: they need to serve the poor and the needy in 286 00:17:08,297 --> 00:17:13,257 Speaker 4: their community, with capacity building training helping them learn how 287 00:17:13,297 --> 00:17:17,577 Speaker 4: to serve that population in their community. And then thirdly, 288 00:17:18,017 --> 00:17:21,977 Speaker 4: with a collaboration, helping them know how to collaborate both 289 00:17:22,017 --> 00:17:26,177 Speaker 4: with other churches in their community and also with the 290 00:17:26,217 --> 00:17:29,057 Speaker 4: stakeholders in their community. We want them to be good 291 00:17:29,137 --> 00:17:33,897 Speaker 4: community partners, serve their community, lead with what they're for, 292 00:17:34,577 --> 00:17:38,817 Speaker 4: and so we encourage churches to work deeply with their 293 00:17:38,857 --> 00:17:40,417 Speaker 4: other stakeholders in their community. 294 00:17:41,057 --> 00:17:44,657 Speaker 5: It doesn't take long for any pastor to realize that 295 00:17:45,097 --> 00:17:48,137 Speaker 5: the needs are out there. The question is what are 296 00:17:48,137 --> 00:17:52,256 Speaker 5: they going to do about it. Any pastor, any ministry 297 00:17:52,497 --> 00:17:55,057 Speaker 5: that just opens up its eyes and looks into the 298 00:17:55,097 --> 00:17:58,417 Speaker 5: field and see that they're ripe and the harvest should 299 00:17:58,457 --> 00:18:02,017 Speaker 5: want to do something about it. So the question isn't 300 00:18:02,057 --> 00:18:05,297 Speaker 5: the desire as much as it is the ability to 301 00:18:05,297 --> 00:18:09,657 Speaker 5: meet that need. And that's really where City Serve comes 302 00:18:09,697 --> 00:18:14,297 Speaker 5: in and partners with the local church to help resource 303 00:18:14,377 --> 00:18:18,617 Speaker 5: and to help meet those needs. And it's a beautiful 304 00:18:18,697 --> 00:18:23,737 Speaker 5: partnership that allows pastors and churches that have a desire 305 00:18:23,937 --> 00:18:29,417 Speaker 5: to meet the practical physical needs of the community it 306 00:18:29,497 --> 00:18:32,857 Speaker 5: was called to serve and to have an organization come 307 00:18:32,897 --> 00:18:36,977 Speaker 5: alongside it to help make that happen. This is the 308 00:18:37,017 --> 00:18:41,337 Speaker 5: beauty of the partnership between the local church and City Serve. 309 00:18:42,217 --> 00:18:47,137 Speaker 5: And this partnership helps with food insecurity. We did that 310 00:18:47,217 --> 00:18:50,577 Speaker 5: through the Farmers to Family Food Box program with over 311 00:18:50,657 --> 00:18:54,897 Speaker 5: seventeen point three million boxes of life giving food given 312 00:18:54,937 --> 00:18:58,577 Speaker 5: out every week during the pandemic through the local church 313 00:18:58,697 --> 00:19:01,937 Speaker 5: to meet people who are living in that last mile 314 00:19:01,977 --> 00:19:02,377 Speaker 5: of need. 315 00:19:03,777 --> 00:19:08,457 Speaker 4: When Jesus was commissioning his disciples that Cesri ap Philippi, 316 00:19:08,577 --> 00:19:12,697 Speaker 4: and he said to them, I'm building my church and 317 00:19:12,937 --> 00:19:14,976 Speaker 4: the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. He 318 00:19:15,097 --> 00:19:19,097 Speaker 4: was telling them that He's giving them the keys to 319 00:19:19,177 --> 00:19:24,257 Speaker 4: the kingdom to enable them to against all odds present 320 00:19:24,417 --> 00:19:28,657 Speaker 4: and represent Jesus to their communities. He meant it. I 321 00:19:28,697 --> 00:19:30,777 Speaker 4: mean he took them all the way from the Galilee 322 00:19:30,857 --> 00:19:35,577 Speaker 4: region up into Cesria Philippi, where the backdrop in Cesarea 323 00:19:35,617 --> 00:19:40,097 Speaker 4: Philippi was really pagan worship, and he was making that 324 00:19:40,257 --> 00:19:44,017 Speaker 4: journey using that as the backdrop, so that they would 325 00:19:44,137 --> 00:19:47,177 Speaker 4: understand that they didn't have to be intimidated by evil, 326 00:19:47,617 --> 00:19:51,297 Speaker 4: or by darkness or by pain in the world around them, 327 00:19:51,697 --> 00:19:54,817 Speaker 4: that they could, in the name of Jesus, and in 328 00:19:54,897 --> 00:20:00,497 Speaker 4: the power of Jesus, represent Jesus well, even in times 329 00:20:00,537 --> 00:20:04,737 Speaker 4: of great difficulty. So he was in effect commissioning his disciples. 330 00:20:05,857 --> 00:20:09,537 Speaker 4: I would argue it is the most dynamic infrastructure for 331 00:20:09,737 --> 00:20:18,097 Speaker 4: community transformation. It's interesting that the data actually validates how 332 00:20:18,257 --> 00:20:22,337 Speaker 4: powerful the ministry the church can be. We can kind 333 00:20:22,377 --> 00:20:25,657 Speaker 4: of criticize all the things that are wrong in our 334 00:20:25,657 --> 00:20:29,216 Speaker 4: world and curse the darkness, or we can be people 335 00:20:29,337 --> 00:20:33,777 Speaker 4: who see our role as being healing agents. Now there's 336 00:20:33,817 --> 00:20:35,657 Speaker 4: a time to have a prophetic voice, And I would 337 00:20:35,737 --> 00:20:40,216 Speaker 4: argue that when you serve your community, it only strengthens 338 00:20:40,257 --> 00:20:45,177 Speaker 4: your prophetic voice to speak truth to your generation. But 339 00:20:45,217 --> 00:20:49,177 Speaker 4: there is an amazing dynamic that happens when the church engages. 340 00:20:49,217 --> 00:20:53,017 Speaker 4: For instance, I live in California and we have a 341 00:20:53,137 --> 00:20:58,377 Speaker 4: ton of recidivism, people just going and prisons and back out, 342 00:20:58,457 --> 00:21:03,177 Speaker 4: and prisons and back out. And the statistics show that 343 00:21:03,257 --> 00:21:07,737 Speaker 4: if a person coming out out of prison just goes 344 00:21:07,817 --> 00:21:12,217 Speaker 4: back into his old lifestyle around the same people, kind 345 00:21:12,257 --> 00:21:14,777 Speaker 4: of living the same lifestyle, it doesn't have some kind 346 00:21:14,777 --> 00:21:20,496 Speaker 4: of change transformation his life. He's in the high sixty percentile. 347 00:21:20,537 --> 00:21:22,777 Speaker 4: He's going to go back into prison within a decade, 348 00:21:22,817 --> 00:21:27,177 Speaker 4: within ten years. But across America, if that same person 349 00:21:27,257 --> 00:21:32,057 Speaker 4: connects with a local church, gets in a group, finds 350 00:21:32,057 --> 00:21:35,817 Speaker 4: some new friends, begins to learn a new way of living, 351 00:21:35,897 --> 00:21:40,577 Speaker 4: that drops to seven and eight percent. So when a 352 00:21:40,617 --> 00:21:44,097 Speaker 4: person connects with the Body of Christ and starts moving 353 00:21:44,137 --> 00:21:54,617 Speaker 4: down a different path, it transforms community. One of the 354 00:21:54,657 --> 00:21:58,057 Speaker 4: first things that we do in times of war or disaster, 355 00:21:58,537 --> 00:22:05,937 Speaker 4: natural disaster is identify God's people, local churches that are 356 00:22:06,297 --> 00:22:09,936 Speaker 4: in the middle of that war, are that disaster a 357 00:22:10,057 --> 00:22:15,577 Speaker 4: network potentially of churches, a coalition of churches in a 358 00:22:15,617 --> 00:22:19,737 Speaker 4: community that are cooperating and working together, and then we 359 00:22:19,777 --> 00:22:24,537 Speaker 4: resource them. We don't go around them. We resource them 360 00:22:24,977 --> 00:22:28,977 Speaker 4: because they were there before that war or disaster happened. 361 00:22:29,017 --> 00:22:31,257 Speaker 4: They're going to be there. They're there right now, in 362 00:22:31,297 --> 00:22:35,057 Speaker 4: the middle of it, living through it real time, and 363 00:22:35,097 --> 00:22:36,817 Speaker 4: they're going to be there after it's all over. 364 00:22:38,177 --> 00:22:42,976 Speaker 5: What people need in times of disaster more than anything 365 00:22:43,337 --> 00:22:48,577 Speaker 5: is they need the ministry of presence. They just need 366 00:22:48,617 --> 00:22:52,817 Speaker 5: to know that they're not alone, that there's someone there 367 00:22:53,497 --> 00:22:57,857 Speaker 5: that is driven from a neighboring town, has flown in 368 00:22:57,937 --> 00:23:03,377 Speaker 5: from a neighboring state, and they're there. Especially early on 369 00:23:03,697 --> 00:23:07,417 Speaker 5: in a disaster, so much that can happen. There's very 370 00:23:07,457 --> 00:23:11,377 Speaker 5: little an average person can do. Search and rescue is 371 00:23:11,457 --> 00:23:13,497 Speaker 5: going on, which is part of what we do at 372 00:23:13,537 --> 00:23:17,657 Speaker 5: City Serve with our compassion collective, with our air assets 373 00:23:17,697 --> 00:23:22,577 Speaker 5: and helicopters. Those things are needed most. But when you 374 00:23:22,617 --> 00:23:25,497 Speaker 5: get past that, what people need they just need to 375 00:23:25,537 --> 00:23:29,577 Speaker 5: know that they're not alone. The unfortunate thing about disasters 376 00:23:30,097 --> 00:23:36,497 Speaker 5: like Texas, like Jamaica, like Leahina war zones like Ukraine 377 00:23:36,697 --> 00:23:40,417 Speaker 5: and Israel. What people need to know is that you're 378 00:23:40,497 --> 00:23:43,217 Speaker 5: going to be there for the long haul. And here's 379 00:23:43,257 --> 00:23:47,417 Speaker 5: the reality. I mean, these disasters have a shelf life 380 00:23:47,417 --> 00:23:49,657 Speaker 5: of about eight to fourteen days. 381 00:23:49,857 --> 00:23:52,377 Speaker 4: It all kind of lead that with a story of 382 00:23:52,457 --> 00:23:56,777 Speaker 4: a young couple in our church. They were mobilized to 383 00:23:56,897 --> 00:24:02,297 Speaker 4: go and serve at a summer cap the past couple 384 00:24:02,297 --> 00:24:06,217 Speaker 4: of years. That has been through the church taking place 385 00:24:06,217 --> 00:24:09,737 Speaker 4: for over thirty years, and they went the last couple 386 00:24:09,817 --> 00:24:12,256 Speaker 4: of years and served in that camp. It's a camp 387 00:24:12,417 --> 00:24:17,257 Speaker 4: where the county allows us to take foster children that 388 00:24:17,297 --> 00:24:19,817 Speaker 4: are in the system to a week long summer camp. 389 00:24:19,857 --> 00:24:23,377 Speaker 4: They get to learn archery, they get to ride horses, 390 00:24:23,577 --> 00:24:26,177 Speaker 4: they get to swim, they get to play, they get 391 00:24:26,217 --> 00:24:30,057 Speaker 4: to just experience camp. Most of them for the first 392 00:24:30,057 --> 00:24:33,257 Speaker 4: time that they've ever been to a summer camp. Rayan 393 00:24:33,457 --> 00:24:37,457 Speaker 4: was a a wonderful young couple took their vacation time 394 00:24:37,497 --> 00:24:41,696 Speaker 4: from their jobs and that's what their family did. They 395 00:24:41,737 --> 00:24:44,937 Speaker 4: went and served at that camp. They already have two 396 00:24:45,057 --> 00:24:48,936 Speaker 4: children that are young. They're a young family. This last 397 00:24:49,137 --> 00:24:54,097 Speaker 4: summer they served a couple of children. There were siblings, 398 00:24:54,137 --> 00:24:58,417 Speaker 4: a boy, and a girl that were about eleven and twelve, 399 00:24:59,297 --> 00:25:03,177 Speaker 4: and they just built a relationship with them. They found 400 00:25:03,177 --> 00:25:08,017 Speaker 4: out from their social worker later that the placement back 401 00:25:08,137 --> 00:25:11,617 Speaker 4: inside their home wasn't going to be a possibility. That 402 00:25:11,697 --> 00:25:13,737 Speaker 4: those kids had been in the system in and out 403 00:25:13,777 --> 00:25:16,857 Speaker 4: for years and long term they were going to be 404 00:25:16,857 --> 00:25:19,976 Speaker 4: in the system probably the rest of their life. And 405 00:25:20,057 --> 00:25:25,337 Speaker 4: this young couple sought the Lord and prayed and went 406 00:25:25,417 --> 00:25:30,617 Speaker 4: on this process of fostering to adopt. Their adoption was 407 00:25:30,897 --> 00:25:36,377 Speaker 4: just recently finalized here in our county. And at the 408 00:25:36,457 --> 00:25:40,737 Speaker 4: dedication of their children to the Lord, I was watching 409 00:25:40,857 --> 00:25:45,737 Speaker 4: this young family who had plenty on their plate. They 410 00:25:45,817 --> 00:25:50,417 Speaker 4: had the challenges every young couple has, but got enlarged 411 00:25:50,457 --> 00:25:53,537 Speaker 4: their heart for these two children and they brought them 412 00:25:53,577 --> 00:25:56,057 Speaker 4: into their family. Now they're family of four children are 413 00:25:56,097 --> 00:25:58,696 Speaker 4: a family of six. And I watched them on the 414 00:25:58,697 --> 00:26:01,657 Speaker 4: stage as they were dedicating their children to the Lord, 415 00:26:02,537 --> 00:26:06,457 Speaker 4: and I thought, this young couple has, by the grace 416 00:26:06,497 --> 00:26:10,177 Speaker 4: of the Lord, made a decision as a holy spirit 417 00:26:10,257 --> 00:26:14,177 Speaker 4: led them. It's going to impact generations to come. The 418 00:26:14,217 --> 00:26:16,737 Speaker 4: lives of those two children will never be the same. 419 00:26:17,657 --> 00:26:22,217 Speaker 4: One of our key statements to churches is that compassion 420 00:26:22,537 --> 00:26:26,177 Speaker 4: is scalable. You start where you are with what you have, 421 00:26:27,497 --> 00:26:31,777 Speaker 4: and God will take you further. So compassion through the 422 00:26:31,817 --> 00:26:36,457 Speaker 4: local church can be incredibly creative. I in fact think 423 00:26:36,497 --> 00:26:40,017 Speaker 4: it's better for churches just to operate out of their 424 00:26:40,057 --> 00:26:45,696 Speaker 4: own sense of identity and their own creativity. We just 425 00:26:45,857 --> 00:26:48,697 Speaker 4: resource them in doing that. So it can be very 426 00:26:48,737 --> 00:26:53,497 Speaker 4: small acts of compassion that have really big impact the 427 00:26:53,617 --> 00:26:59,377 Speaker 4: churches are doing to care for their widows in their community, 428 00:27:00,257 --> 00:27:03,457 Speaker 4: or it can be something large. We have some churches 429 00:27:03,497 --> 00:27:10,417 Speaker 4: that are actually building entire communities for their widows in 430 00:27:10,497 --> 00:27:13,297 Speaker 4: their community where they can care for them in an 431 00:27:13,337 --> 00:27:16,776 Speaker 4: ongoing way. So it can be small or it can 432 00:27:16,817 --> 00:27:22,217 Speaker 4: be large. We have churches that aren't trying to serve 433 00:27:22,377 --> 00:27:27,017 Speaker 4: in that space that represents those that are homeless or 434 00:27:27,457 --> 00:27:30,697 Speaker 4: at risk of homelessness, and there are churches that are 435 00:27:30,697 --> 00:27:34,817 Speaker 4: doing small acts of compassion where they're going out and 436 00:27:34,937 --> 00:27:39,017 Speaker 4: serving them and trying to engage with them and reach 437 00:27:39,057 --> 00:27:42,256 Speaker 4: out to them and proclaim the Gospel to them in 438 00:27:42,337 --> 00:27:47,137 Speaker 4: creative ways. We have churches that are building homeless communities 439 00:27:47,137 --> 00:27:52,217 Speaker 4: where they're actually bringing them in and doing amazing things 440 00:27:52,257 --> 00:27:57,577 Speaker 4: that are impacting entire cities. Workforce development, getting those individuals 441 00:27:57,617 --> 00:28:01,937 Speaker 4: back on a path of growing, helping them overcome personal barriers, 442 00:28:01,977 --> 00:28:08,377 Speaker 4: maybe mental health barriers or addiction issues. It's scalable. Compassion scalable. 443 00:28:10,177 --> 00:28:13,417 Speaker 5: In the line of work that we're in, particularly as 444 00:28:13,497 --> 00:28:20,657 Speaker 5: relates to disaster relief, disaster response, Compassion fatigue is just 445 00:28:20,697 --> 00:28:25,137 Speaker 5: a reality. You cannot give out what you do not 446 00:28:25,377 --> 00:28:31,417 Speaker 5: have in you. And this is why being saturated in 447 00:28:31,497 --> 00:28:36,417 Speaker 5: God's Word every day is so vitally important. Just the 448 00:28:36,537 --> 00:28:41,697 Speaker 5: daily grind of life lowers the energy of the spirit 449 00:28:41,817 --> 00:28:45,937 Speaker 5: inside of you. And then when you add on events, 450 00:28:45,977 --> 00:28:49,737 Speaker 5: and you add on situations and your environments that are 451 00:28:49,817 --> 00:28:54,817 Speaker 5: high stress environments like a disaster relief or a war zone, 452 00:28:55,417 --> 00:28:59,177 Speaker 5: you need to be filling up on a heavy dose 453 00:28:59,257 --> 00:29:03,137 Speaker 5: of the Word of God, whether reading it or listening 454 00:29:03,217 --> 00:29:07,057 Speaker 5: to it. It needs to be an app absolute constant. 455 00:29:07,617 --> 00:29:12,657 Speaker 5: It's not a luxury, it's an absolute necessity. It's a 456 00:29:12,777 --> 00:29:17,937 Speaker 5: non negotiable to stay in God's Word, to commune with him, 457 00:29:18,697 --> 00:29:25,297 Speaker 5: to listen to worship music, to pray for God, to 458 00:29:25,537 --> 00:29:28,777 Speaker 5: just continue to be your strength, to be your source, 459 00:29:28,897 --> 00:29:32,417 Speaker 5: to be your all in all, and without it, without 460 00:29:32,497 --> 00:29:37,097 Speaker 5: having any of that, you'll become a casualty yourself, and 461 00:29:37,257 --> 00:29:41,137 Speaker 5: in our midst of doing for others, we first must 462 00:29:41,217 --> 00:29:44,417 Speaker 5: do for ourselves. It's like being on that plane that's 463 00:29:44,457 --> 00:29:47,697 Speaker 5: going down, and we know what the stewardess tells us 464 00:29:48,097 --> 00:29:54,057 Speaker 5: when the oxygen comes down, put the oxygen on yourself first, 465 00:29:54,097 --> 00:29:57,217 Speaker 5: and then help others. And that's really what has to 466 00:29:57,337 --> 00:30:01,137 Speaker 5: happen for those who are involved in meeting the needs 467 00:30:01,177 --> 00:30:04,657 Speaker 5: of others. You need to take care of yourself spiritually, 468 00:30:05,697 --> 00:30:08,937 Speaker 5: being his word every single day. 469 00:30:10,977 --> 00:30:14,497 Speaker 4: I just found that it's not our own strength, our 470 00:30:14,577 --> 00:30:18,577 Speaker 4: own power. I mean, Zacharia says, that is not by 471 00:30:18,697 --> 00:30:20,617 Speaker 4: might or my power, but by the spirit of the 472 00:30:20,657 --> 00:30:24,777 Speaker 4: Lord that the work is done. And if any of 473 00:30:24,857 --> 00:30:27,817 Speaker 4: us think that we can in our own strength or 474 00:30:27,857 --> 00:30:31,897 Speaker 4: power just live out what the Lord's called us to, 475 00:30:33,097 --> 00:30:37,737 Speaker 4: we're mistaken. It all flows out of that personal relationship 476 00:30:37,777 --> 00:30:41,057 Speaker 4: with the Lord Jesus Christ. It all flows out of 477 00:30:41,417 --> 00:30:47,137 Speaker 4: that place, that secret place, that place with Him where 478 00:30:47,377 --> 00:30:53,657 Speaker 4: his holy spirit just fills us, strengthens us, enlightens our thinking, 479 00:30:54,457 --> 00:30:57,697 Speaker 4: drives us, moves us forward, empowers us to go forward 480 00:30:57,897 --> 00:30:59,897 Speaker 4: add to the work that He has for us. So 481 00:31:00,777 --> 00:31:06,377 Speaker 4: I just encourage everyone to trust him or fully he 482 00:31:06,657 --> 00:31:09,057 Speaker 4: isn't surprised by any of the things that are going 483 00:31:09,097 --> 00:31:12,777 Speaker 4: on in the world around us right now. He knew 484 00:31:12,857 --> 00:31:16,577 Speaker 4: exactly when each of us were going to live, be born, 485 00:31:16,657 --> 00:31:19,217 Speaker 4: live our time on this earth. He has a work 486 00:31:19,257 --> 00:31:24,177 Speaker 4: force to do, but it's a time to really depend 487 00:31:24,217 --> 00:31:28,017 Speaker 4: on him more every single day to give us what 488 00:31:28,057 --> 00:31:30,577 Speaker 4: we need. If we don't, we're going to run out 489 00:31:30,617 --> 00:31:32,817 Speaker 4: of gas. We won't make the long run, we won't 490 00:31:32,817 --> 00:31:37,697 Speaker 4: finish faithfully without his power and his strength and his 491 00:31:37,817 --> 00:31:43,337 Speaker 4: spirit that work in our lives. Something that's really helped 492 00:31:43,337 --> 00:31:47,537 Speaker 4: me is to just remind myself that he's the Lord 493 00:31:47,537 --> 00:31:52,177 Speaker 4: of the Harvest, and he loves these people far more 494 00:31:52,617 --> 00:31:57,457 Speaker 4: than any of us could ever love them. He has 495 00:31:57,537 --> 00:32:00,577 Speaker 4: watched them from the time they were in their mother's womb. 496 00:32:01,497 --> 00:32:06,377 Speaker 4: He knows every detail everything that they've been through. He's 497 00:32:06,417 --> 00:32:08,897 Speaker 4: the Lord of the Harvest, and he wants to be 498 00:32:08,937 --> 00:32:12,657 Speaker 4: the lord of their lives. And really recognizing that it's 499 00:32:13,497 --> 00:32:17,897 Speaker 4: ultimately a work of God's spirit that we can do 500 00:32:18,017 --> 00:32:23,297 Speaker 4: our best, and we should, but ultimately it's the Lord 501 00:32:23,377 --> 00:32:26,217 Speaker 4: working and their heart and life that's going to make 502 00:32:26,257 --> 00:32:29,937 Speaker 4: all the difference. And when I remind myself, Lord, this 503 00:32:30,017 --> 00:32:34,777 Speaker 4: is your harvest and these are your people. Lord, You 504 00:32:34,897 --> 00:32:38,297 Speaker 4: do the heavy lifting here, not me. But I'm going 505 00:32:38,337 --> 00:32:40,577 Speaker 4: to do what you've called me to do and be 506 00:32:40,617 --> 00:32:43,137 Speaker 4: who you've called me to be, and then I'm going 507 00:32:43,217 --> 00:32:45,977 Speaker 4: to trust you to do what only you can do. 508 00:32:49,817 --> 00:32:53,657 Speaker 2: To learn more about City Serve, visit Cityserf dot us. 509 00:32:54,497 --> 00:32:56,737 Speaker 2: If you'd like to hear more stories about living out 510 00:32:56,777 --> 00:32:59,297 Speaker 2: who we were created to be, check out our interview 511 00:32:59,297 --> 00:33:12,057 Speaker 2: with Erica Campbell. Next time on the Jesus Calling podcast, 512 00:33:12,257 --> 00:33:15,617 Speaker 2: we'll hear from television host Kathy Lee Gifford, who believes 513 00:33:15,617 --> 00:33:18,817 Speaker 2: in the power of relationship over the power of religion. 514 00:33:20,417 --> 00:33:23,937 Speaker 6: I think religion puts us in chains, and Jesus came 515 00:33:23,937 --> 00:33:27,417 Speaker 6: to get us out of the chains. It's all about relationship, 516 00:33:27,497 --> 00:33:30,617 Speaker 6: not religion, and I think we've really lost touch with 517 00:33:30,697 --> 00:33:32,577 Speaker 6: that in Western Christianity. 518 00:33:38,097 --> 00:33:40,617 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to the Jesus Calling Stories of Faith 519 00:33:40,697 --> 00:33:44,537 Speaker 2: podcast on the Life Audio Network. Every week, we'll bring 520 00:33:44,577 --> 00:33:47,177 Speaker 2: you stories from people who share their journeys of faith 521 00:33:47,497 --> 00:33:51,217 Speaker 2: and how prayer and a relationship with God transformed their lives. 522 00:33:51,977 --> 00:33:55,337 Speaker 2: Be sure to follow us on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or 523 00:33:55,377 --> 00:33:58,657 Speaker 2: wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave us a review 524 00:33:58,777 --> 00:34:02,977 Speaker 2: so others can be inspired weekly by these stories of faith. Finally, 525 00:34:03,257 --> 00:34:06,777 Speaker 2: you can find encouragement resources and more on the Jesus 526 00:34:06,777 --> 00:34:10,017 Speaker 2: Calling website at jesuscalling dot com