A CHRISTIAN MISSION
January 2025 Newsletter
Prayer Request: Dear God, You are patient with me, showing kindness even when I falter. I ask for Your grace to fill my heart with that same patience. Help me to pause before I speak, to listen before I react, and to extend grace even when it feels difficult. Strengthen my spirit so that I may respond with gentleness and love in moments of tension. Lord, I know that I, too, am a work in progress. May I offer to others the same mercy I hope to receive. Guide me to be a reflection of Your patience in all my relationships.
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
Long Lines, Traffic, & Trains
In general, Americans don't like to wait. In fact, sometimes, we're definitely irritated by delays. Most of us want what we want - when we want it. Imagine yourself in these situations:
You're at the grocery store. You have a busy evening ahead. The store is crowded, and your shopping cart has a wheel that drags. When you finally finish your shopping, you get to the check-out area, and most of the lines seem extra long. You're excited to find a line with only two people, so you hurry into third position. The checker is new on the job, and she's moving slowly. On top of that, when the lady in front of you gets ready to pay, she starts digging in her purse – leisurely looking for her checkbook. Who pays for groceries with checks these days? When she finally locates her checkbook, she begins searching for a pen…and the whole thing is slowing you down even more. How do you respond?
You're out to dinner with your family - at one of your favorite restaurants. You've been fasting all day because you've been looking forward to the special meal. You're given a booth and a menu, but the restaurant is ridiculously busy, and it seems like there aren't enough waiters. Everything is taking forever. There you are – starving – and you've got a glass of water and a menu that you're thinking about gnawing on. – An irritating delay. What's your response?
You're running a little late during your drive to work. The roads you normally use are congested, so you decide to slip through the traffic, using a rarely-known shortcut that only Daniel Boone could have figured out. On the shortcut, all the traffic lights are green, and just about the time you start feeling confident about this new route, there's a clang, clang, clang. A train! The shortcut turned out to be a big delay. How do you react?
I know that my growth as a Christian often occurs in the daily grind of life – not just in my quiet times of prayer and Bible study. Anybody can feel peaceful when everything is going smoothly or when immersed in Bible study and silence…BUT…long grocery lines, busy restaurants, trains, and dozens of other inconveniences can feel challenging!
Patience
I imagine that the people who watch our reactions to stressful situations - the grocery store employee, the waiter at the restaurant, and even our friends and family members – wouldn't be impressed that we could quote passages of scripture or that we have enough knowledge to explain intricate biblical concepts; but, I think there's one quality that would immediately attract them to our Christian lifestyle and soften their stressful situations, too. That quality is “patience” – and the ability to accept inconveniences - graciously and calmly - with quiet understanding – and maybe even with
a smile.
When we react to stressful situations with unselfishness and kindness, we speak volumes about the peace that God can give us. “The fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
There are situations when we should speak up and advocate for ourselves and for others, but - as always – we want to have wisdom. We can relax in God's power – and trust Him to give us patience and a peaceful heart.
Maybe, we can find opportunities to even go over and above - to show kindness and a gentle spirit. The world around us definitely needs those things.
When you're waiting in the grocery line this week – offer to let the person behind you – go ahead of you.
As you wait for an appointment at the doctor's office, or wait to fill your car with gas – use those minutes to do some creative thinking, rather than adding fuel to your impatience. Maybe you could think about twenty things for which you
are thankful.
When you're waiting for someone who's late – take that time to pray for them!
We all have stressful situations, but in the middle of those challenging things, our gentle and quiet spirit can be a clear testimony to the power of Christ in our lives and to the peace that He gives.
Pastor Andrew
(Some portions paraphrased from the writings of Charles Swindoll.)
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 on Ebay, just add us as your preferred charity, and a portion of your purchase will go to the Door Of Hope Mission.
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