Cairns - Working Together

This time of year many things "begin" and "re-start." It's great soil for needs to be recognized and people to be motivated to work together to accomplish goals & help others. It's the season for worship ministry retreats, new community groups, PTSA meetings, support group gatherings, and new prayer groups. Anticipation and planning are in the air (the hot, humid August air). You can't do (nor should you do) it all, but we are obedient to do "good works" as evidence of Christ in us when we contribute where our gifts make a difference.

I shared about our church clothing drive held before school started. It was a wonderful way to meet needs of many who have experienced need before and some who are experiencing it for the first time. The Back to School ministry was the result of many people working hard to make it happen, people who worked together to give out Jesus' love to as many as they could reach.

Eph. 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we would walk in them.

I just got to step in on the actual morning to welcome people as they arrived, but these photos are a testimony, a "CAIRN", to those who spent countless hours taking a mess and making it into a gift that could be given. They washed and ironed and sorted and decided and labeled and folded and carried and cleaned and hung and set up and prayed ... and it was beautiful. The receivers were overwhelmed by the kindness & helped by the generous donations. I believe they went away knowing God sees and cares for their lives.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

As the morning progressed, I wished more of our church family could've seen and shared in the joy as this ministry unfolded. I want to share these photos today as encouragement that we really can make a difference in one of the areas of need around us this year. What's going on around you? Let's look around, see what's "starting," and pray about where God would have us do "good works" that reflect His love for people.