My friends, Tony and MaryAnn, who live in California, spend much of their time trying to help at-risk teenagers...
They're also very involved with their local church, and with a ministry that works with these kids. And in a recent letter to me, Tony had these words to say:
"Dear David... I hope and pray all is well with you, my brother... Keep up the
good work in the Lord, as you know, your reward is in heaven. In your last letter
you mentioned you have a big heart for teens although your outreach to them is
limited due to incarceration plus few Christians wanting to associate with you in
things like reaching at risk youth."
"Wow, brother. As far as I see it you would be pick number one to reach at risk
teens. Remember 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. 'For consider your calling, brethren, that
there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has
chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things that are strong, and the
base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen... that He might nullify
the things that are, that no man should boast before God.'"
"You have shown in word and deed your past actions and the course you were on
and the course you are now on and should have been on. From my view you would
be the very first person to ask to help at risk teens."
Tony's words were like a healing balm to my sometimes discouraged spirit. As, there are periods in which I'll begin to think to myself, "Is my life having any kind of positive impact upon others?" Is anyone listening to me? Am I giving hope to someone who needs it?" On and on, my mind would wander to a point where I'd even question my reason for continuing to live. But God is faithful, and He will always have someone send me an encouraging word to lift my spirit.
Besides, Tony and MaryAnn know a lot about at-risk and self-destructive behaviors, and what can happen to a person when his life spirals out of control. Because a handful of years ago their 26-year-old son, Mark, overdosed on narcotics. So their ministry to teens is one that has been birthed by pain and agonizing loss. Theirs is a work of love and compassion as they try to keep others from going down the same path of ruin.
D.B.
"Dear David... I hope and pray all is well with you, my brother... Keep up the
good work in the Lord, as you know, your reward is in heaven. In your last letter
you mentioned you have a big heart for teens although your outreach to them is
limited due to incarceration plus few Christians wanting to associate with you in
things like reaching at risk youth."
"Wow, brother. As far as I see it you would be pick number one to reach at risk
teens. Remember 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. 'For consider your calling, brethren, that
there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has
chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things that are strong, and the
base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen... that He might nullify
the things that are, that no man should boast before God.'"
"You have shown in word and deed your past actions and the course you were on
and the course you are now on and should have been on. From my view you would
be the very first person to ask to help at risk teens."
Tony's words were like a healing balm to my sometimes discouraged spirit. As, there are periods in which I'll begin to think to myself, "Is my life having any kind of positive impact upon others?" Is anyone listening to me? Am I giving hope to someone who needs it?" On and on, my mind would wander to a point where I'd even question my reason for continuing to live. But God is faithful, and He will always have someone send me an encouraging word to lift my spirit.
Besides, Tony and MaryAnn know a lot about at-risk and self-destructive behaviors, and what can happen to a person when his life spirals out of control. Because a handful of years ago their 26-year-old son, Mark, overdosed on narcotics. So their ministry to teens is one that has been birthed by pain and agonizing loss. Theirs is a work of love and compassion as they try to keep others from going down the same path of ruin.
D.B.
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