Sunshine Saturday!

Posted in love with tags , , on January 28, 2010 by diamondjones

Bring light to an inner city child!

We will be bringing the sunshine and FUN to about 900 kids living in New York City on Saturday, February 13.

Come out and be a positive influence to a young life, and help give them a better tomorrow.

SATURDAY, February 13
9am-4pm

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RICHMOND Amenities Drive and Homeless Outreach

Posted in love with tags , , , on January 28, 2010 by diamondjones

Have you been looking for a way to make a lasting difference in the City, but there seems to always be a time conflict? Or do you find that something always comes up at the last minute?

GREAT NEWS! You can still make a lasting difference in the City of Richmond!

We will be serving the homeless of Richmond on THURSDAY, February 4, from 11:30am to 1:00pm.
Please join us!

If you cannot physically participate in the outreach, but still want to help out, you can volunteer to help make sandwiches, and we also are accepting new toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soaps, and deodorants! Please let me know if you would like to donate any of these items to be given to the homeless.

GET INVOLVED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

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COME AND GO WITH ME…

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , on January 28, 2010 by diamondjones

Come and go with me to my Father’s house, where there’s joy, joy, joy!

And love. And encouragement. And hope.

Let’s serve the poor and homeless together, and make a difference in someone’s life forever.

SATURDAY, February 20
8am-12noon
MANHATTAN

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Are You Ready for Some MNF?!

Posted in Ministry, love with tags , on January 28, 2010 by diamondjones

Are you ready for some Monday Night Food?!

There are people who are hungry and starving. Come serve the homeless a warm dinner, as you love on them and spread cheer!

Bring your smile, a helping hand, and an open heart.

MONDAY, February 8
6:15pm-8:30pm
MANHATTAN

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Amazing Love

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , on January 28, 2010 by diamondjones

Seek and you shall find,
Ask and you shall receive….

Prayer Changes Things.

Come join us for a time of fellowship and prayer!

And bring your prayer requests, as we stand together, seeking the Lord, believing in faith for the Miraculous!

MONDAYS
beginning February 1, 2010
7-8pm EST

Conference Call Dial-in Info:
US and International (218) 339-4300
Passcode 969610#

Spread the word!
This is a global call. Any person from anywhere in the world can dial in.
This is not a religious activity. It is a conversation with the One we have a relationship with!

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Human Need

Posted in Ministry, love with tags , , , on January 26, 2010 by diamondjones
“You are Beautiful beyond description
Holy God to Whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of You”

I have been an urban missionary for over 5 years, and day by day, I cannot help but to be struck by the tremendous amount of human need all around, and the seemingly atmosphere like everyone is asleep. I remember asking a few friends months ago, “Does it feel like everyone is sleeping?”

This is something that I have been meditating over for a while, and now I feel is the time to share it with you, especially in light of the recent events in Haiti.

Six out of seven days a week, every week, I have the privilege of serving. It is not to boast, but to share that it is so incredibly important to have and rely on the Holy Spirit, because service (i.e., “volunteering”) can so easily become a work of the flesh. But when it does, it renders a dead work, and that is a danger zone. I find the same thing with overt donations. The Bible says give your alms in secret, and our Father who sees will reward us openly.(Matthew 6:4)

History has shown that when tragedy strikes (Hurricane Katrina, Ike, 9/11), at the onset people give, and it almost becomes a bidding war, and many, many want recognition for what they gave. Or they give for seemingly selfish reasons, perhaps to feel good about themselves and pat themselves on the back, and make it easier to look at themselves in the mirror even though they are living a life of compromise.

Please do not misunderstand. I am not judging. I am not suggesting that giving is bad. There are needs that absolutely must be met. The financial provision is necessary and essential to the rebuilding of economic infrastructure, and the meeting of everyday survival needs, especially in a crisis situation.

But what I am saying, is be careful that the focus is right.

Because in the flesh, eventually the novelty wears off, and life goes on, especially if you weren’t directly personally affected, and the fact is, most people go back to living the same way as before (again, if they were not directly personally affected).

Consider for a moment that there are many people who are going through their own personal Haiti, in their own personal lives right now.
Many are trapped under rubble and buildings of bondage and tradition.
And no one sees them, no one hears them, they may be able to stick out only maybe a foot or a hand here or there. Some of them have even lost their lives, because “buildings” have fallen on them.

Consider the paradox of donating a million dollars and then spitting on your neighbor.

I was speaking to a 12-year old last week about what happened in Haiti, and she mentioned, “it is not the time to feel sorry for these people, it is time to pray.”   That was one of the most profound statements that I had heard, because of the fact that she could recognize that emotion alone is not going to carry this through and emotion alone is not going to have any long-term effect.

Shortly thereafter, the next day, I was on my way to one of the homeless outreaches, and as I made my way down the train platform, I was pushed, shoved, stepped on, bumped into, etc., all in a matter of 5 minutes. No one, not one, said excuse me, I’m sorry, anything. In fact, I was the one who was saying those things, even though I was the offended party.

Let us not be ignorant or blind.

The Bible says that the Son of man will come like a thief in the night. No man knows the hour. (Matthew 24:44)
Those people who lost their lives in Haiti, and in countless other tragedies, just as well as in situations in our everyday lives, woke up that morning and were living life like they normally would. And immediately something changed. That could happen to any of us.

Be ready.

Get right today. Today is the day of salvation.
Depart from evil and do good.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

You don’t have to stay there, you don’t have to live in compromise.
You don’t have to worship idols.
You don’t have to be buried in religion or in “going to church and not bearing any fruit.”

You have a Maker, a Father, a Friend,
a Saviour, a Comforter, a Redeemer.

Yes, what happened in Haiti was very, very real, and we should all do whatever we can to help.
But, let us not miss the illustration of Haiti, and how it applies to our own lives.

Let us not sleep any longer… “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” (Luke 12:43)

My prayer is that when human need and the need for Compassion abounds (and it is abounding now!), that we will arise and answer the call, completely relying on the Lord to equip us and give us everything we need to do that which He has called us to do. And He will, because He is faithful not only to us but to His work!

Praise the Living God!

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2010: A New Year, A New You

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on January 1, 2010 by diamondjones
So, it’s a new year. What were you doing last year, on January 1? What were your resolutions? What were your goals? What did you hope to accomplish and to see? We were facing so many new things.

As you reflect on last year, what are you hoping to change this year?

Do you want to grow, or do you want to stay in the same place forever?

What will 2010 mean for you?

This year, would you consider resolving that the new thing be Christ in you? Would you consider resolving that the new thing be allowing faith to arise in your heart, to trust God thru each and every situation in your life?

You know, often times in fashion magazines and culture, different new trends are advertised as “the new black.” I want to suggest that perhaps “the new black” this year is Wisdom and Maturity.

The mayhem of holiday shopping for loved ones has come and gone, and now you can exhale.
Take a few moments to look around and peruse this online shopping experience that you will find below, full of “Happy New Year 2010!” gifts, GIVEN FREELY just for you:

New Gift #1:  Put on the new man.

Colossians 3:10

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Ephesians 4:24

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

New Gift #2:  Behold I make all things new.

Revelation 21:5

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

New Gift #3:  Behold I will do a new thing, and it shall spring forth.

Isaiah 43:19

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

New Gift #4:  If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

New Gift #5:  Faith

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight:

Romans 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

New Gift #6:  Fear of the Lord

Psalm 111:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

New Gift #7:  Wisdom

Proverbs 3:5-6

5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 8:10-11

10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Proverbs 8:33-35

33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

As we embark on this new year, let us remember hope. The things which we see, and the situations that we go thru are for our benefit, they are necessary for us to grow. Take each situation as a learning experience, and glean from it. Instead of playing the victim, look up. There is always something in it that has to do with us and our own heart. In situations where we are tried and stretched, or where tasks seems menial, or where we are surrounded by what seem to be “disagreeable” people, let us be slow to judge and slow to anger, but diligent and humble in prayer. God is always after something in our heart. Often times, it is even a mirror. It is something that He is trying to teach or show us, about ourselves, that must be dealt with, so that He can take us to the next step, and ultimately propel us into the stratosphere!

These gifts on this page are not about being religious. Not even in the least bit.
Please do not be deceived or misunderstand. It is not about Religion.
It is about having a Relationship with He who created you and the Universe, and understanding that Relationship.

In a motor vehicle, there is only one steering wheel for a reason! Two people cannot drive the same vehicle at the same time! (and don’t you know how frustrating and annoying a “backseat driver” can be!)

You will find that as you begin to untie the ribbon and open these gifts, that even if you thought that you had a glimpse of what your life would be, it is still, at best, short-sighted. And that this is not even a taste, not even a morsel, of what God has planned for you.

Will you trust him fully in 2010? Will you completely let go of the reins, and grab hold of wisdom?

Will you open your heart, and receive Instruction?

Will you resolve to let your life be a witness and bear the testimony of Jesus Christ in you?

Why spin around in circles when you don’t have to? Why make promises and resolutions that you know that you can’t keep?

Resolve to put on The New Man, and Behold, you will watch and see (and be blown away!) at how HE will do a New Thing.

Happy New Year!

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Richmond, Petersburg programs for homeless get $2.8 million in U.S. aid

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , on December 31, 2009 by diamondjones

The Obama administration announced renewal funding for a dozen area programs to assist the homeless in the Richmond area and three more in Petersburg. Statewide, 131 homeless-assistance programs will receive $19.2 million aid from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to prevent any interruption in housing and other services to people in need.

“As we move into the coldest time of year, it’s critical that no program risk running out of money to keep their doors open,” HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said Wednesday in announcing $1.4 billion in renewal grants to 6,400 programs nationwide.

The Continuum of Care Grants total about $2.6 million in the Richmond area and $180,000 in Petersburg, or about $107,000 more than the programs received last year from HUD. The federal agency plans to announce funding for new projects early next year.

Richmond was the biggest beneficiary of this year’s grant renewals, with more than $1 million earmarked for the Richmond Shelter Plus Care program, and an additional $60,480 for supportive housing outreach efforts by the city’s Department of Social Services.

Other grant awards for Richmond and Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties will go to:

•Emergency Shelter Inc., $506,653 for its Family INRICH program and $99,960 for veterans’ transitional housing; •Hilliard House, $262,917; •Homeward, $26,731; •St. Joseph’s Villa, $272,000 for the Flagler Services for Homeless Families; •The Daily Planet Inc., $90,300 for collaborative treatment services, $118,171 for Safe Haven and $90,000 for the Safe Haven expansion; and •Virginia Supportive Housing, $39,860 for its program for families and $48,466 for its program for veterans. In Petersburg, HUD gave grants to:

•Homeward, $15,050; •The Salvation Army, $94,505 for Project H.O.P.E.; and The Urban League of Greater Richmond, $70,350, for Project Employment.


By MICHAEL MARTZ
Published: December 25, 2009
Updated: December 25, 2009

Courtesy of http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/HOME25_20091224-213003/313489/#

Richmond Times-Dispatch

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Prayer Conference Call, Wednesdays 7pm

Posted in Ministry, love with tags , , on December 16, 2009 by diamondjones


Thank you for serving and supporting the teams which participate in the outreaches serving the homeless, needy, and poor communities around the country.

The demand is increasing, and we acknowledge the need for prayer and covering for the teams individually and collectively, the guests that we serve, and the groups that we sometimes serve alongside with (from other organizations).

For this reason, we have created a dedicated call line for Prayer.

I personally invite you to join us on Wednesdays, on a conference call, to lay down whatever is on your heart, as we humble ourselves, and stand in the gap for these outreaches and communities. Bring also your prayer requests, and we will stand with you!

The dial-in information is as follows:
US and International Conference Dial-in Number: (218) 339-4300
Participant Access Code: 969610#

The call starts at 7pm EST. Come and experience the Miraculous Power of Prayer!

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My Habitat for Humanity trip to Thailand

Posted in travel with tags , , on November 17, 2009 by diamondjones

 

I’m excited to be traveling to Thailand as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village program. I’ll be working side-by-side with people who need a decent place to live, helping to build simple, affordable houses.

Please visit my Habitat Web page, where you can learn more about my trip:
 http://www.habitat.org/cd/gv/participant/participant.aspx?pid=93231168

 Also, I’m raising money to support my team’s work, and I’d be grateful if  you would consider making an online donation.

 Thanks for helping me build houses and hope in Thailand!

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