In Appreciation...

Hebrews 3:13 (KJV)
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 

I must confess...

I don't know Jack and Charlotte all that well. Oh, I know of them. I'm familiar with their association within our family of churches, and also of their role at their home church, Laflin Street Gospel Chapel, but on a personal and intimate level... I come late to the party. A few days ago, October 24, a celebration was held in their honor. The room was filled with quite a few people you could consider to be pillars of faith in their own rite. People who all of which have been touched by Jack and Charlotte irrevocably. Many of these same people I know all too well. As the scripture from Hebrews directs, the Moterts have been exhorting others through encouragement throughout their entire lives.

Anybody whose ever watched any of the police shows has to be familiar with the way the evidence is examined to piece together the facts so the story can be told. As I look around the room the evidence speaks for itself. The facts to which I had been unclear are present all around me, and the story becomes very clear. These two humble people have made a mark on the lives of many, who have also gone on to place a stamp on the lives of many more. 

  

The luncheon honoring them was in appreciation for the difference the Mosterts have made in the lives and families of those they have faithfully shepherded, loved, and served. Back in the early 1960's, when the neighborhood was changing and many white folk were leaving, Jack and Charlotte chose to stay and continue the work started on Laflin Street. During a time when barriers were being fortified, the Mostert family began breaking them down. The Gospel requires change. It calls us to places outside our comfort zone. Following Jesus will most often, not be easy. It takes courage to live a life of service, especially to a group of people who are skeptical and showing very little signs of trust. The Bible tells us that love (charity) shall cover the multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). That sentiment was expresses over and over by those who voiced their feelings. Many were overcome with emotion and tear filled eyes... a good indication that their former fears and skepticism had been transformed to genuine heartfelt love of the deepest kind. 

These feelings of love and the reasons behind them were detailed, in part, by the summary comment from the program.

We acknowledge and celebrate the many years of dedicated service by Jack and Charlotte Mostert to the Chicagoland inner-city Christian ministries. Jack Mostert, as Pastor of Laflin St. Gospel Chapel annually provided professional signage services to the Chicagoland Christian Women's Conference, Circle Y Ranch Bible Camp of Bangor, MI, and The CYR Golf Classic. Charlotte Mostert, as a faithful and longtime board member of The Chicagoland Christian Woman's Conference, Pastor's wife, and the Circle Y Woman's Auxiliary, - to name a few. 

As I said earlier, I really don't know this couple in the same way as most of those who were in attendance. However, I feel as though I have been allowed to experience, through others present, what knowing them had to have been like. Both Jack and Charlotte are up in years with Jack looking at 90 and Charlotte having health issues. While their exterior may be fading, the love they insisted on showing and maintaining throughout life has grown and gotten stronger. It's been amplified through every person they've touched over the years. That love and its touch reached me today and I am made better because of it. As ministers we labor to produce good fruit and much of it. I would like to think that I might one day be as fulfilled as they must be today. The bar has most certainly been set and I definitely have much to aim for. The Mosterts are a great example of what God can do with a willing and obedient vessel.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

Toward the close Jack took the podium to give remarks and express his "Thank You." I think it fitting that whenever we can, we should try to give our flowers and well wishes while they can be smelt and felt. The outpouring of love on the living far outweighs all the attention given after they're gone. It seems as though Jack was moved by the gesture. In classic style as only he could pull off, Jack share the secret of why it was so easy for him to remain in a neighborhood rapidly changing from whites to persons of color. In a way his explanation went straight to the heart of how much the world is caught up in labels and stereotypes. Jack was born in South Africa before migrating to the United States. In a very real sense, we were looking at a white man who, was also a real African-American, long before the phrase was ever adopted by black people. Just goes to show that if you get past skin color and predisposed attitudes of race, mankind has much more in common than it does to find differences.

 

To Jack and Charlotte Mostert,
For the years of service and your unwavering gift of love...
"THANK YOU."

May your blessings continue in eternity for a job well done.

   

Vacation Bible School - By Bro. Matthew

Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Two words stand out in the passage above... 

Encourage and Deceitfulness. 

If there ever was a time that we were in need of encouragement, it's now. Especially for our young people. Without it, I believe it will be extremely difficult for them to stand against sin's deceitfulness. The streets are full of deceiving influences that lead to a sinful lifestyle. If we don't take a stand and encourage our young people...

"The Streets Win."

Today is Wednesday and we're in the middle of Vacation Bible School (VBS). Traditionally, churches spend a week or so during the summer to target children. The idea is to create a special time that focuses on attention to them. It's a great concept, but personally I think it falls way short. First, a week is not enough time. It's a good start and a great way to attract attention... but the time spent with children should be ongoing. There shouldn't be a week of special time. We should make all time with children special. If anything, VBS time should be extra-special. Second, attention to children should be an obligation... not a set-aside. Our young people are all too important for us not to be attentive of them.


Think for a moment if we carried the mindset to be attentive, outside of the set-aside time of VBS or the other sessions of youth ministry.

I say again... 

The streets are full of deceiving influences that lead to a sinful lifestyle. If we don't take a stand and encourage our young people... "The Streets Win." 

The vigil of the streets to watch for opportunity to employ sin's deceitfulness, will ever be ongoing... even when our efforts are not. The result of no effort at all, or one that is not diligently active, is not good. Either we fight for our children, or the streets, and sin, will kill them. 

For far to long we have accepted a position and a picture of despair. When we realize that there are alternate views and other pictures to focus on, the possibilities become far reaching. 

A barber in Iowa has chosen an alternate view, and is using the power of encouragement on a daily basis. His effort should not only be applauded, but expanded. Our children need to be shown that we believe in them. Taking the time to not only talk to them, but to listen as well... this helps to build their sense of self worth.  

A Free Hair Cut for Reading

Quite often we allow our day to day lives, and perceived position as adults to hinder the time we put into relationship with young people... even our own children. They need, and deserve more input from us. Every day, the kids are watching us. They watch how we behave, what we say, and what we do more so than any of the so called role models thrust forth from society. What we present before them, and our treatment of them speaks volumes. The pictures we paint need to be positive.  

Click For More Info. 

Brothers welcoming brothers Back to School. 

Vacation Bible School Time, as well as, All Youth Ministry Time, should be a special time for kids. It's also important that during these times, the child's impressionable mind interacts with grownups who have made a commitment to love the Lord. That's why we encourage the young at heart (adult folk) to attend as well. Children learn their best lessons from caring adults. We must learn to include our young people in our world and take the time to be a part of theirs. 

Our theme this year is... 

The Lord Will Provide 

Not only will God provide for the future well being of the children, but He is the only one who can also provide willing adults that understand what must be done for them. It's a matter of trusting God and taking action on that trust.


We're looking at the story of Moses and the children of Israel, and how the Lord provided for them. I think the kids have been listening and for me, it's good to see the interaction they have with us adults. They've also made T-shirts as their art project. From the looks of things, the message seems to be getting through. 

Genesis 22:14 (NIV)
So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 

The world is filled with all sorts of material. God has provided wealth and resources for all of us. All of these things were in place long before our arrival and for the most part, they remain long after our depart. Life, on the other hand, is short lived... at least in this world. Time, a thing that is also limited, is life's governor, and because of the limited amount of time we have, we only have so many chances at gaining knowledge. Wise use of our time and a better understanding of what we learn is the fabric that makes life meaningful. 

Proverbs 4:7 (KJV) Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 

This world has conditioned us to chase after material things. In doing so, many have neglected the most valuable thing we have. Our young people represent life itself. If we are to ever create value in life... We must place value in our children. 

Just like the elevation of these steps, the "Body of Christ" is a community made of people on different levels.
From the aged and seasoned on down to the new and freshly picked.
We all bring something to the table and the blend is a compliment of flavor. 

For A People To Become Rich, They Must Look Not On Putting Dollars In Their Pocket... 
But At The Value Of Investing In Their Children. 

Blessings

Deacon Matthew Milam II
(Click for More Info.)

  

Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

"Your Name Is Good" - Maranda Forney