August 2024 Newsletter
Prayer Request for August 2024: This month, seek God's guidance in prayer, asking Him to reveal the gifts He has bestowed upon you so that you may fulfill the calling He has placed on your life as a Christian, enabling you to live Your Life to its fullest potential in His grace.
Please call us if you have any questions about the Mission or how you can help. 432-337-8294
A Word From Our Director ~ Pastor Andrew Pistone
A public school in Springfield, Oregon published a short fable – that reflects some of the frustrations that can also be experienced by people.
A Duck on the Track Team?
Once upon a time, a group of animals decided that they should do something meaningful to help them expand their skills and to do their part in making the world a better place – so, they organized a school.
They developed the curriculum and organized classes that every single animal was required to study. Each animal took classes in running, climbing, swimming, and flying.
The duck was excellent at swimming. In fact, he was better than his instructor – but he only made passing grades in flying, and was very poor in running. Since he was slow in running – he had to drop his swimming class and stay after school to practice running. This caused his webbed feet to be badly worn - so that, eventually, he became just average in swimming. In this school, the average was acceptable, so nobody worried about that – except the duck.
The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but he developed a nervous twitch in his leg muscles because of so much make-up work in swimming. As for flying – forget about it!
The squirrel was excellent in climbing, but he was always frustrated. Instead of doing what he loved – which was spending most of his time in the trees - he had to take extra swimming classes. He could swim, but it didn't come naturally for him – so, he got cramps from overexertion – and began to lose his climbing skills.
The eagle was the problem child and was severely disciplined for not following instructions. In climbing classes, he beat all the others to the top of the trees but insisted on using his own method of getting there. Of course - in running classes, the rabbit and the squirrel beat him every time.
The Moral of the Story
The moral of this silly story is obvious and simple. Each creature has its own set of capabilities, and it will naturally excel – unless it is expected or forced to fill a mold that doesn't fit. When that happens, there is discouragement, frustration, guilt, and defeat. A duck is a duck – and only a duck. It's built to swim. A squirrel is a squirrel – and only that. He's not the best at swimming. Eagles are beautiful creatures in the air – but not in a foot race, and the rabbit will win at a foot race every time – unless the eagle gets hungry!
These things that are true of animals are also true of us. God didn't make us all the same. He purposely planned and designed our differences and our unique capabilities. God never intended for all of us to do the same things.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. All of these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one just as He determines.” (I Corinthians 12:4-6, 11)
God has given each of us a distinctive mixture of capablities, and every individual mixture is significant. No one is exactly like you. There's tremendous dignity in that.
Trying to be Something We're Not
Are we causing ourselves unnecessary stress by chasing after some gift that God hasn't given us - or trying to be something we're not?
If we compare ourselves to other people, or force something that isn't natural, or expect things of ourselves and others – that are beyond our God-given capabilities…then we can feel frustrated, or phony, or totally defeated.
If God made you a duck saint – you're a duck, my friend. Swim like mad, but don't get bent out of shape because you wobble when you run, or flap instead of fly. If you're an eagle saint – stop expecting squirrel saints to soar, or expecting rabbit saints to build the same kind of nests that you do.
We want to take our capabilities and improve upon those abilities – rather than trying to be like someone else that we might admire.
Are we pressuring our friends and family members to conform to our exact way of doing things? We want to encourage them to be themselves and we also want to appreciate them for who they are – even though their way of doing things may be completely different from our own.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place; when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God!” (Psalm 139:13-17)
Rabbits don't fly. Eagles aren't best at running. Ducks look funny trying to climb, and squirrels don't have feathers.
Don't compare yourself to others. You are uniquely YOU – by God's design. We want to accept what God has given each of us – in humility and in faithfulness – and use those gifts to glorify Him.
(Portions taken from writings by Charles Swindoll.)
Pastor Andrew
Thrift Store
If you haven't had a chance to shop at our Thrift Store, we hope you will do that very soon. The proceeds from the store are a major source of our support. You will find thousands of quality items at incredible prices, and you can shop with confidence that your dollars are helping to change lives.
We are located at 1515 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX Our hours for shopping are: Monday - Saturday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
We continue to take ALL donations with grateful hearts. We could not do this without your help.
We will come to PICK UP any and all donations – just give us a call at 432-337-8294 to schedule a pickup. You can also drop off your donation at the Thrift Store,
Funds / Donations Needed
Your financial support will help us provide hot meals, a safe place to sleep and shower, and exposure to the truth of God's Word through Bible study and counseling to those who struggle with addictions. Many come to know Jesus as Savior because of the work God is doing here at the Mission.
There are a few ways you can give:
#1: PayPal Giving Fund:100% of what you give goes to the Mission. Paypal does not keep a processing fee when you use this service. If you would like to make a direct financial donation you can go to PayPal at the link below.
https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2432315
#2: Use our Website http://www.doorofhopemission.com/donate.html
#3: Mail a Check to Door of Hope Mission PO Box 1789, Odessa, TX 79760
#4: When you Shop at Amazon or Ebay, just add us as your preferred charity, and a portion of your purchase will go to the Door Of Hope Mission.
With Amazon: Visit Amazon Smile www.smile.amazon.com, then login to your account then you need to select Door Of Hope Mission Odessa TX so we will receive donations from eligible purchases when you shop.
With Ebay: You just need to add the Door Of Hope Mission to your favorites. Click the link this link to add us.
https://charity.ebay.com/charity/charity-name/2432315
If you have any questions please call us 432-337-8294.
The Door of Hope Mission is supported 100% by DONATIONS and our thrift store. We do not take money from the government because they would restrict us from preaching about the freeing power of Jesus to those we help.
All donations are tax-deductible.
DOOR OF HOPE THRIFT STORE UPDATE
We are in need of good furniture and antiques that you might want to donate to our ministry, and of course - we continue to take ALL donations with grateful hearts. We could not do this without your help.
We can also accept cars, trucks, RVs and boats.
If you have items you wish to donate, please drop them off at the store. If you need us to pick them up, please call the Mission at 432-337-8294.
We invite you to come and visit the Door of Hope Thrift Store. We are located at 1611 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX 79761.
Our hours for shopping are Monday - Saturday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Please visit us on Facebook : www.Facebook.com/DoorOfHopeThriftStore
All donations are tax deductible.
Please check out our latest post and like our page at https://www.facebook.com/DoorOfHopeMissionTX
A CHRISTIAN MISSION