Dear First Pres,

   I must confess, I’m feeling a bit stiff today. Last night I slept on the floor as part of the Matthew 25 Challenge. But I was glad to do it as a way of identifying a little more deeply with the millions of people in our world who are refugees and/or homeless. In our own city, we have some 4000 homeless neighbors who sleep on the ground every night. One of the gifts for me, from the daily videos we’ve been sent this week, has been the wonderful reminder that “the least of these” are individuals with names and families and desires for their future. Yesterday, we heard the story of Armando who fled his country because of violence and ended up in a neighboring country where he faced insecurity, isolation, and life on the floor. I thank God for the way that He is using these simple challenges in my life this week to align my heart more deeply with His for people like Armando. 

   If you’re confused, on Sunday I invited everyone to participate in the Matthew 25 Challenge administered by World Vision. It’s a 7 day discipleship experience that drills down on the Matthew 25 text I preached on Sunday. If you’ve missed it, that’s okay. It’s not too late to jump in. You can either text FPCM25 to 56170 or go to World Vision's Website to get started. 

   One of the things we learn from Matthew 25:31-46 is that God cares deeply for the tangible needs of every person. His heart breaks for the homeless and the refugee. His heart breaks for the least of these of our world. My prayer this week is that the Holy Spirit will align my heart more deeply with the heart of my heavenly Father. May the Lord do the same with each of you.
 

Blessings,

Pastor Jeremy