Pastor Jim emailed the following thoughts on 9/21/22…
Friends:
PLEASE READ: Psalm 82:3-4,
“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the foreigner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Many years ago I saw on the TV a news program featuring a 79 year-old Roman Catholic nun by the name of Sister Emmanuel. When most folks would like to think of retiring to a warm weather state during the winter and traveling around the world during the summer, this woman fell on her knees and prayed that God would send her to the most desperate place on earth. She prayed that God would send her to the most needy of people that she could help. She said in the interview, “Be careful what you pray for as your prayer might be answered.” Her prayer was answered and at the time of that particular interview this French nun was serving God in the “City of Garbage”—an impoverished area which was located in Cairo, Egypt. 
She would rise everyday at 4:30 a.m. to begin her work among the ten thousand so-called “untouchable residents.” At 9:00 a.m. she would be in her own hut teaching forty Christian and Muslim children how to read and write. She has also worked as an advocate for the people trying to have the government provide better housing for the poor. In her quiet ministry of serving, Sister Emmanuel has helped improve the living conditions of many children, youth, and adults. It is ironic and even appropriate that her name was, Emmanuel. Scripture reminds us that “Emmanuel” means “God with us.” God was certainly in the midst of all that she was doing by helping and offering support to the needy, the poor, the immigrant.
At one point the interviewer asked the Sister if there might be a reward for her work. The older nun pointed to a painting hanging on her wall. It was a picture of angels with hands joined dancing in Heaven. “One of these days,” said Sister Emmanuel, “they will offer me their hand and I will dance in the kingdom of heaven with them.” I would like to think that today, God’s servant, Sister Emmanuel, is dancing in Heaven as one who shared her fruit of the Spirit with those who were in need. When we have been set free by Christ, we have been set free to serve others.
. . . . . .
There are many people from a number of churches who are on the receiving end of these emails. Let me ask, what are we doing individually as God’s people to bring help, hope, and encouragement to those who are in need? What are our churches doing to carry on the work of Sister Emmanuel and bring relief, help, and hope to those in need, those who are poor, the immigrant? How can we be creative and bold in the name of Jesus to make a difference in our communities and in the world?
Shalom,
Pastor Jim
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