The Narrow Gate: Day 82 – Faith and Work

The Narrow Gate

Welcome to the continuation of my blog, post-seminary. Ministry and evangelism have brought me back home to Chattanooga. I welcome your company on my journey.

The original blog, Down In Mississippi, shared stories from 2008 and 2009 of the hope and determination of people in the face of disaster wrought by the hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005, of work done primarily by volunteers from churches across America and with financial support of many aid agencies and private donations and the Church. My Mississippi posts really ended with the post of August 16, 2009. Much work, especially for the neediest, remained undone after the denominational church pulled out. Such is the nature of institutions. The world still needs your hands for a hand up. I commend to you my seven stories, Down in Mississippi I -VII, at the bottom of this page and the blog posts. They describe an experience of grace.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Day 82 – Faith and Work

Recently I have been reading through the words of God in First Isaiah, Christ’s teachings in Matthew and Luke, and the writings of James. These words lead me unavoidably to believe that the work of the Church in Mississippi and Louisiana to assist the relief of people devastated by Katrina and Rita really lies at the heart of what Christianity is about.

Often I struggle with my frustration and at times with the Church while ministering in this place but I know that here and now believers are living the Word in practice, signifying by their works their true commitment to Faith.

Here follows a few cities and states where volunteers have come to one village. The list doesn’t reflect multiple trips by a church team, nor does it attempt to list every church and organization that has come here to help. There are many, many more. It does reflect some particular cities whose churches have made a conscious choice to bring their ministry here.

We have five villages in Mississippi and Louisiana and we have had as many as six. Other denominations, for example, Mennonites, Baptists, Methodists, and Lutherans send many of their members and have a viable ministry here. We have other non-governmental organizations where many of our friends have stayed while working here. My list is incomplete, there are so many more cities and countries who have sent people or money, Japan, Korea for example.

In a cold, dark world seemingly preoccupied with largess, and self-satisfaction, there still is a remanant who come to show Faith in action. I offer my grateful thanks to the people of all these churches. I remind you, however, you do not have to come to the Gulf to help, not being able to travle isn't an excuse. You may go into any city and find persons who are homeless, poor and out of work, who need help repairing a room, who are struggling to hang onto hope in a hostile world, or are imprisoned. They need your ministry as well.

I pray that God blesses you all.

Cities

Bella Vista, AK
Benton, AK
Ferncliff, AK
Little Rock, AK
Brandon, CA
Longmont, CO
Tampa, FL
Marietta, GA
Greensburg, IA
Alton, IL
Monmouth, IL
Olney, IL
Washington, IL
Indianapolis, IN
Annapolis, MD
Elkton, MD
Gaithersburg, MD
Perry, MD
Dearborn, MI
Austin, MN
Saline, MN
St. Clair Shores, MN
Charlotte, NC
Greenville, NC
Wake Forest, NC
Winston-Salem, NC
Plainfield, NH
Barton, NJ
Bound Brook, NJ
Colawrenceville, NJ
Albuquerque, NM
Buffalo, NY
Cincinnati, OH
Farmersville, OH
Marietta, OH
Waterloo, ONT
London, ONT
Petewawa, ONT
Stratford, ONT
Windsor, ONT
Beaver, PA
Bloomsburg, PA
Chippewa, PA
Grove City, PA
Landsdale, PA
Uniontown, PA
Uniontown, PA
Toronto, Quebec
Chapin, SC
Chattanooga, TN
Knoxville, TN
Charlottesville, VA
Chesapeake, VA
Fairfax, VA
Kilmarnock, VA
Newport News, VA
Norfolk, VA
Penn Land, VA
Richmond, VA
Williamsburg, VA
Winchester, VA
Bothell, WA
Enumclaw, WA
Spokane, WA
Ashland, WI
Charleston, WV
Marines in Mission (CA, FL, IA, IL, KS, OH)

States by number of teams
Virginia (10)
Pennsylvania (8)
Ontario (6)
Arkansas (4)
Illinois (4)
Maryland (4)
North Carolina (4)
Ohio (4)
Minnesota (3)
New Jersey (3)
Washington (3)
California (2)
Tennessee (2)
Florida (2)
Iowa (2)
Kansas (2)
Colorado (1)
Georgia (1)
Indiana (1)
Michigan (1)
Nevada (1)
New Hampshire (1)
New Mexico (1)
New York (1)
Quebec (1)
South Carolina (1)
Wisconsin (1)
West Virginia (1)

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Gates

The gate pervades the Good News. Peter entered the temple gate after the Jesus’ arrest to deny him. Poor Lazarus lay at the rich man's gate, longing for the crumb's from the table, while dogs licked his sores. The blind, lame and paralyzed lay at the Sheep Gate at the Jerusalem temple waiting at the pool with five porticoes for healing water. Jesus warned of the easy road and wide gate to material ease and spiritual destruction and calls us to the hard road and narrow gate to the waters of life.

necessary disclaimer

This blog is created solely to communicate to my brothers and sisters how one person sees adversity bringing out the greater character of humanity. It's early part relating connection to the volunteer relief effort in Mississippi after Katrina and later work with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program and the Presbyterian Church(USA) is solely through my participation in them; this blog does not carry any sponsorship from these fine organizations or purport to speak for them. All original content is that of the writer who holds the copyright to all original writings and art or other works (See Creative Commons License above). Every effort is made to identify content from other sources which have been obtained from open internet sources. It's more recent content contains sermons and lessons used in preaching and teaching. The url to scripture are obtained via http://bible.oremus.org unless otherwise indicated.

Texts quoted from oremus bible viewer are from "New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved." and "New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved."